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SELF-GIVING 


A STORY OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS 


BY 

WILLIAM F. BAINBRIDGE 

Author of “Around the World Tour of Christian Missions, 
» “Along the Lines at the Front,” etc. 



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BOSTON 

D. LOTHROP AND COMPANY 

30 AND 32 FRANKLIN STREET 








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. 15 :. 14 


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Copyright, 1883. 

* 

D. Lothrop & Company, 


PREFACE. 


Since return lately from a two years’ study of the evangelizing work of 
the Church in many lands, the author of the following pages has pub- 
lished two volumes^of results, entitled “ Around the World Tour of 
Christian Missions,” and “ Along the Lines at the Front.” The former 
was designed as a universal survey of missions, from unusual famili- 
arity with the home work, and from personal observation of more 
than a thousand stations in Japan, China, Siam, Burmah, India, Tur- 
key, and on a previous tour in Egypt, Italy, Russia and other countries. 
The latter volume was confined to the evangelizing enterprise of one 

of the great denominations of the Church. As additionally, Mrs. B , 

who accompanied her husband, has published Round the World 
Letters,” to be followed soon by “ Glimpses of Mission Life in Many 
Lands,” it was thought that the report upon these exceptional oppor- 
tunities would thus be finished. Therefore attention was turned to 
a promised survey of Bible Lands, entitled “ From Eden to Patmos,” 
for which the preparation of previous tours and researches seemed in a 
measure completed by recent visits to Babylon and Nineveh, Arabia 
and Persia. 

But the thoughts of the writer were restless over a growing convic- 
tion of incomplete work upon Missions. The duty and privilege of 
direct recital had been discharged, but there remained much untold 
of interest and profit to the public, and helpful to the cause, that 
would require, however, a veil of fiction to the extent of concealing 
many names and locations, and of disassociating many home references. 
With great timidity the task of authorship in this direction was under- 
taken. ' 

Every incident linked into the following story, is substantially a 
fact. The writer has drawn upon his imagination only to relieve 
embarrassment on the part of a large number of missionaries and 
executive officers, and of mission friends and enemies, who will recog- 
nize many scenes and incidents in their own lives, often related confi- 
dentially, and many questions of mission policy, which are either kept 
from the public, or very unsatisfactorily considered, because of various 
personal susceptibilities and ambitions. 

With desire only to help the cause of world-evangelization, and 
prayer that any harm done may be overruled for good, this volume 
also is given to the public. 

WILLIAM F. BAINBRIDGE. 


Providence f Rhode Island^ 1883. 




V’ 




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CONTENTS. . 

L — Llewellyn Litchfield 9 

, II. — J unior and Senior ...... 23 

III. — Cleora Lyddell and Margaret Kilburne . . 35 

lY. — The Girls at College 50 

Y. — Over many Lands and Seas . , • • 62 

YI. — The Lyddells in Japan 71 

YII. — Shadows of Speculation 80 

YIII. — China, and the Missionary’s Call ... 90 

IX. — A Battle with Unbelief ..... 102 

X. — Thwarted Plans, and Kansas Colportage . 113 

XL — With the Army of the Potomac . . . 125 

XII. — Tempted from Duty . ^ . . . 135 

XIII. — Taken Prisoners ...... 148 

XI Y. — Boston and New York Society . . . 160 

XXY.— Supplying and Candidating .... 169 

XYI. — Washington or Agra ? . . ; . . 178 

XYII. — The Duke of Trafalgar’s Son . . . 187 

XYIII. — Accepted and rejected 198 

XIX. — Kescued and betrothed 208 

XX. — Preparations and Wedding .... 218 

XXI. — Home Farewells and India Greetings . . 225 

'XXII. — At the Dak Bungalow 235 

XXIII. — Yisits to Delhi and Cawnpore . . . 244 

XXIY. — Ketreuchment ordered ..... 252 

XXY. — A little hindering Helper . ' . . . 260 

XXYI. — Translation and Out-Stations . . . 267 

XXYII. — Hindered to be most helpful . . . 276 

XXYIII. — Zenanas and Bible Women .... 287 

XXIX. — Girls’ School and Home Correspondence . 297 


6 


CONTENTS. 


XXX.— Fruits, bitter and sweet .... 

XXXI.— Two Months in Europe 

XXXII.— Tlie Meeting in Calcutta .... 

XXXIil.— Self-Support and Hindu Caste 
XXXIV.— Miss Kilburne’s Mission Work 
XXXV.— Native Preachers and erratic Missionaries . 
XXXVL— In Conflict with “The Kooms’^ . 

XXXVII.— Vacation in Burmah and Southern India 
XXXVIII.— The Prince of Wales in Agra 
XXXIX.— The Taj and the Mission Grave . 

XL.^ — Necessity and Preparations for return Home 
XLI. — More Heroism at Cashmere Gate and Lucknow 
Besidency ... . . 

XLII. — Four Weeks in Palestine .... 
XLIII. — Addressing Churches and publishing a Book 
XLFV. — Mrs. Litchfield at Women’s Meetings . 

XLV. — Maintaining the Status Quo .... 
XL VI. — Disturbing Hornets’ Nests .... 

XLVII.— The Children Difficulty .... 

XL VIII. — London Mildmay Conference 
XLIX. — Benares Conference of native Christians 
L. — Tour of Villages in Eajpootana 
LI. — Miss Kilburne’s Turn at the Home-Work . 
LII.^ — Church Discipline and missionary Martyrdom 
LIII.^ — Showing the Work to American Travellers . 
LIV. — Cashmere and the Himalayas 

LV. — From Agra to Glory 

LVI. — Famine and Pestilence 

LVII. — The Burial at Sea 

LVIII. — A Part of the First Kesurrection . • • 


807 

318 

820 

330 

347 

358 

3G9 

377 

385 

395 

404 

415 

422 

427 

434 

444 

452 

457 

404 

469 

474 

480 

488 

494 

500 

506 

510 

514 

518 


SELF-GIVING- 


CHAPTER I 


LLEWELLYN LITCHFIELD 


LEWELLYN, I see by this letter of reply 


from Doctor Arnold, that he thinks you 
will be able to pass an examination for the 
second term of the- Freshman year, and that, while 
there are no available scholarships at present, you 
can rely upon one the coming autumn,” 

That is good news, indeed, father, for I feared 
tlie illness which detained me this term would 
throw me out a whole 3^ear. But as to the 
expenses, I have made up my mind to one thing, 
and that is, to board myself. I have helped 
motlier a great deal in the kitchen, and I am 
very sure that with a few utensils, in some small 
room ill Washington, I can run my own board- 
ing-house, and pocket all the savings.” 

“No, my son,” replied the village pastor with 
an income of eight hundred dollars a year, look- 
ing proiidl}’’ at his eldest, yet with tears in 
his eyes, “no, I do not think that is necessary. 



9 


10 


SELF-GIVING, 


Your board-bill may run us a little behind this 
year, but we shall make it up the next, when 
you will receive your hundred dollars from the 
scholarsliip.” 

Llewellyn walked to the window, and saw his 
mother gathering the clothes which they^ had 
washed together tliat morning. His younger 
brother and sister were helping her with the 
stout basket. As they trudged toward the house, 
lie noticed that she stooped twice, as if suffering 
with pain, and immediately his purpose was 
firmly fixed not to add any burdens to that 
home during his collegiate course. 

‘‘ Please let me try it, father, for one term 
only,” he said. ‘‘ I made enough in the last 
vacation with those sewing-machine hemmers to 
pay all the extra cost of this experiment. I shall 
not starve. At home I help get the breakfast 
every day, and though mother can excel me in 
bread and pastry, you know those things can be 
bought at a bakery, and — 

“ O, mother ! ” he exclaimed, turning to her as 
she entered with the study-lamp trimmed for the 
evening, “ cannot I make pancakes and porridge, 
and broil meat and stew oysters about as well 
as yourself?” 

Certainly, you can,” she replied. “ I am sure 
no hired help could do better. When I was on 
that three weeks’ visit to Philadelphia, you ran 
the house splendidly, and father said you were 
well served all the time.” 


LLEWELLYN LITCHFIELD, 


11 


A few weeks passed, and Llewellyn was a 
student in Franklin University. His youthfulness — 
as he was only fourteen, — was in the way, but 
his examination had been unusually satisfactory, 
and an exception to the rule of admission had 
been made. Indeed, exceptions of various kinds 
were now almost tlie rule in tlie sharp rivalries 
between the multitude of American colleges. 

His father accompanied him, and they found a 
cosey little room for Llewelljui’s liousekeeping in 
a public block on Pennsylvania Avenue, at 
seventy -five cents a week. All the rooms in the 
college dormitories had been taken at tlie com- 
mencement of the year, and this was tlie best 
arrangement they were able to make. They had 
applied at several homes where great interest 
was said to be taken in struggling students, but 
all hearts were closed by the information that 
Llewellyn intended « to board himself. Cooking 
in their rooms could not be allowed. 

The floor of the little apartment finally 
engaged, was furnished with a rag carpet from 
home. The stove had an ornamental cover to con- 
ceal its character. Empty packing-boxes were pro- 
cured, which Llewellyn supplied with shelves and 
coveijd with chintz; and no casual visitor could 
have suspected other than a study and sleeping- 
room, unless the call had been made at unseason- 
able hours, or some one had unfortunately stum- 
bled against the chintz cupboards. 

Llewellyn’s boarding himself was a decided sue- 


12 


SELF-GIVING, 


cess. He did not live on the choicest cuts of 
beef, or tender fowl and game, but he had enough 
of wholesome food, and it was very palatable. 
At the end of the term he had gained ten 
pounds of flesh. With the baker and the butcher 
he had become a favorite, notwithstanding his 
small purchases ; and the latter, who sympathized 
with the struggling student, would cut him a quar- 
ter of a pound of round steak as politely as he 
would serve his -best customer. The cost of his 
food averaged one dollar a week. 

In the class his standing was considerably above 
the average. He marked very high in all the 
departments except Latin. He had been encour- 
aged to commence that study before he was ten 
3"ears of age, and had contracted a dislike for it 
which he never overcame. In matliematics he 
failed onlv once during the entire course to make 
perfect recitation. Always in his place and punc- 
tual, beginning his studies every morning at five 
o’clock, walking an hour regularly before sunset for 
exercise, writing his mother every week, receiving 
montlily a few dollars from his father, and 
respected by all, the Freshman year went by, 
and he had his first vacation home. 

Its weeks were full of various industries. In 
the field and shop, and in going from hous^ to 
house selling small wares, enough was secured 
for a full supply of winter clothing, for the new 
books of the next term, and for travelling expenses 
on the return to college from Rochdale, the home 


LLEWELLYN LITCHFIELD. 


13 


village near Newburg on tlie Hudson. A few days 
before the close of tlie vacation, the young . col- 
legian and his father were strolling together upon 
the bank of the river, when the former exclaimed : 
‘‘Oh! please do not disappoint me I I planned 
for it all last term, and it has been in my mind 
every day, almost every hour of this vacation.” 
“But, my son, it is too much of a load for your 
young shoulders. People would blame me for con- 
senting. Besides, you do not take into account 
many of the contingencies which may arise. You 
had a hard time last year, and now you may have 
it a little easier.” 

“I do not want it any easier. I believe in hard 
times. At our last debate in the Society Hall, I 
took the ground that college life ought to be like 
a grindstone, hard and rough all round. When 
I have graduated and go to studying law, it will 
be time enough to turn from the grindstone to 
some soft, oiled whetstone.” 

“ But girls at school cannot be as economical 
aS' boys. If your sister should enter Cowles’ 
Female College, she must board in the institution, 
and will require more in the way of dress.” 

“ I thought of tliat,” replied Llewell}m, “ and to 
meet such extras I have secured a place where 
I can saw wood for an hour a day, all through 
the next year. You know I must have some out- 
door exercise, and I can substitute this for my 
long walks ^ and it will be just as good and perhaps 
better than the gymnasium and the boating of the 


14 


SELF GIVING. 


other boys. Besides there will be fifty dollars’ 
income, and no outgoes.” 

“ But will it not discourage you to know that 
a whole month’s work has gone for ribbons, or 
artificial fiowers, or a pretty sash ? ” 

“I can trust mother and sister for that. And 
you know my scholarship is coming in — one hun- 
dred dollars solid every year; only think of it, 
father! And I am to have two dollars a week for 
making the fires and sweeping the Professor’s 
rooms ; and have also the promise, the following 
year, of being assistant librarian, with one hundred 
and fifty dollars salary.” 

“But I am afraid, Llewelljni, that you will then 
lose too much time from your studies.” 

“ O, no, father ! I shall keep my books on the 
library-desk all the time, and when I am not 
checking off for the boys, I shall be studying all 
the same as if I was in my own room. You 
remember how much I have studied while working 
for mother.” 

“After all, my boy, your plan of getting Lucy 
and Charles off to school this year is impractica- 
ble. It is not simply a question of your putting 
into the common famih-purse one hundred and 
fifty dollars over your own expenses. I believe 
that tlie preparatory department of your institu- 
tion is better than any school in this vicinity, but 
Charles ought to wait another year before leaving 
home ; and Lucy could not be ready in a week’s 
time. But she may go to Providence as soon as 


LLEWELLYN LITCHFIELD, 


15 


she can, and you may have your brother with 
you next year/’ 

Llewellyn’s experience as a Sophomore was spe- 
cially marked by a revulsion in his religious 
feelings. At the age of ten he had professed 
Christ, and united with his father’s church. His 
associations had been mainly religious, warm- 
hearted and every way encouraging. But circum- 
stances now were very different. He was a young 
college student adrift in a great city. The presi- 
dent and professors seemed to take it for granted 
that as his habits within the university-walls 
were regular and even commendable, they must 
be so elsewhere. A minister’s son, a member of 
the Church, always present in his class, invariably 
showing diligent study, and so evidently industri- 
ous in contributing to his own support, he must 
be correct in his life, and faithful in the observ- 
ances of religious duties. Certainly they never 
made any inquiries of him, and he was shrewd 
enough to keep them in the dark. 

His first great mistake was to drift from church 
to church on Sundays. Whenever Dr. Arnold or 

f 

Bishop Strong was to preach anywhere, he was 
sure to be there. If any prominent clergyman 
came from abroad, he was certain to be one of 
the congregation. Thus the unfortunate drifting 
habit was acquired, and the good derived from 
all the excellent preaching was far from coun- 
terbalancing the harm and loss. He became 
hypercritical. The sermons of the regular pastors 


16 


SELF-GIVING. 


failed to interest or to instruct. Religion became 
a mere intellectual philoso|)li\% for his heart 
was among the icebergs. Gradually the ice closed 
around him, and he was fast in a polar sea. 

He was often invited by some of the boys to 
take a glass of wine, and to visit the theatre, and 
he refused, until he saw two of the professors and 
a prominent resident clergjmian toasting with 
sherry and port their hostess at an evening’s 
entertainment, and was told that one of the 
former liad been seen repeatedly at the opera. 
Llewellyn was never intoxicated, nor did he 
become at all addicted to the use of alcoholic 
drinks thanks more to his poverty than to his 
Christian principles. But now when it was offered 
to him at social gatherings, he no longer refused. 

The first night he was at the theatre he felt 
very much ashamed of his presence. But there 
was his professor in mathematics gazing through 
his opera-glass at the ballet dance. There was 
a well-known Sunday-school teacher, who had 
repeatedly invited the collegian into his Bible- 
class. There was the celebrated tenor of St. 
Paul’s, prominent in the orchestra ; and one of the 
boxes was occupied by the family of a deacon 
of the Church of the Epiphany. But for the 

presence of these respectable and presumably ex- 
emplary people, the modest college boy would 
never have gone again. 

One day an active Christian of the Senior 
class, who has since become a useful missionary 


LLEWELLYN LITCHFIELD. 


17 


ill Siam, called upon Llewellyn, and invited him 
to join a society for missionary inquiry. 

1 beg to be excused,” replied the Sophomore. 
‘‘ To tell the truth, I have quite lost my interest 
in missions. The heathen have their own re- 
ligions, as well adapted to their civilizations as 
Christianity is to ours. And the Bible declares 
they have only to live up to the light they 

have, and the}" are safe.” 

“But, Litchfield, do any of them live up to 
the light they have ? ” 

“I should think Buddha did.” 

“But he was the most selfish man the world 

has ever seen. He tliouglit only of himself all 
through life ; never performed a virtuous act 
except to score a merit-mark, and practically 

tauglit that there is no such distinction as right 

and wrong.” 

“Well,” said Llewellyn, “ I never went so deep 
into this great leader’s principles ; but, generally 
speaking, you must confess there is a vast deal 
of good in heathen religions.” 

“ O, man is not as bad as he can be, for 
we discover a great deal of magnificence and 
beauty among his ruins. Everywhere in the 
world there are quenchless yearnings after God. 
These aspirations often take on the form of 
picturesque mythologies and charming poetry; but, 
Litchfield, there surely is no hope for mankind 
except through the Gospel.” 

“Even should I grant that, as I would unhes- 


18 


SELF-GIVING. 


itatingly have done a year ago, still I am 
beginning to feel strongly convinced that the 
best way to reach the heathen is to take care 
of our religious institutions at home, make the 
light as it should be here, clear and strong, and 
it will shine itself throughout the world.’’ 

‘‘But,” replied the Senior, “Christianity requires 
a world-wide opportunity to get into this glorious 
blaze of which you speak. One nation, one con- 
tinent, even half the world, acts like an exhausted 
receiver upon the light. At the best, all anti- 
mission fire burns dimly.” 

“ Anyway, I have my hands full now, and 
I think the Deity will excuse me from any 
special personal interest in your mission subjects.” 
Mr. Howard saw that the difficulty was 
beyond the reach of argument. He had heard 
of the worldly ways into which Lie welly ji had 
been falling of late. He was the same indus- 
trious, successful student, the same heroic fighter 
with poverty ; and a bank-teller reported that 
the young student frequently bought little drafts 
on New York payable to Lucy Litchfield; but 
he no longer attended the college prayer-meeting. 
None reported seeing him at church anywhere 
of late. And often his questions and remarks in 
class-room and Society Hall indicated a decided 
leaning toward rationalism and the professedly 

broad views of so-called liberal Christianity. The 

«/ 

neglect of his instructors, and the bad example 
of three of them, were bearing their fruits. 


LLEWELLYN LITCHFIELD. 


19 


“ How was it, Llewell}’!!,” inquired liis mother 
the week before his return to Washington as 

Junior, and in company with his brother, ‘‘how 
was it that you lost your good old habit of 

regular praj^er-meeting attendance ? ” 

“ Well, I can explain, but I presume you will 
not consider that I ^am excused. Soon after 
entering college I went to the Temple Chapel. 
There were opening exercises and a prayer or two, 
and then a long pause ; it seemed ten minutes, 

and must have been at least three. I could 
not endure the suspense, and I am certain 

I should have left the room, had not the leader 
said several times, ‘Let there be perfect liberty.’ 
So I ventured to start a hymn. It was not an 
old-fashioned hymn, but one of the moderns, with 
a little jingle. No one joined, and so I stopped 
with a single verse.” 

“I am sure, Llewellyn,” interrupted his mother, 
“ that was not a very strange occurrence. Often 
people start hymns which few or even none 
others in the meeting know.” 

“Yes; but it is seldom that a great solid 
pillar falls over on a person when he is walk- 
ing from his seat to the door at the close 
of service.” 

“ What do you mean ? You never reported 
home any accident.” 

“It gave me a terrible shock. One of the 
chief pillars of that exceedingly respectable church 
crushed me with the remark, ‘You were a very 


20 


SELF-GIVING. 


presuming young man to interrupt tlie exercises 

witli any sncli secular and undevotioiial music.’” 

“That was very discouraging, my son; but he 

was only one man. Perhaps all the others 

enjoyed your contribution to the meeting.” 

“Perhaps. But I tried another. There was a 

somewhat livelier time, and I eiijo3^ed it — partly. 

Indeed, I went there regular!}^ fur a number of 

weeks, but I became tired, and made my next 

effort at the Fourth Church, on K street.” 

“What tired you, Llewell^ui ? queried the 

mother with a Christian motlier’s anxiety. 

«/ 

“Largely, liearing a number of ‘sanctified’ 
people continually talking about themselves. It 
was ‘I,’ ‘I,’ ‘I’ interminably. Even the Con- 
gre%uonal Globe could not undertake to report 
them, for there would not be half enough Ps 
in the type-cases.” 

“ O, you are greatly exaggerating ! ” 

“But, mother, exaggeration, sometimes, is the 
only way of telling the truth.” 

Mrs. Litchfield shook her head doubtfully. 
She had herself had some experience with such 
people, and it was a great regret to her that 
her son, during his college life, had come under 
the repelling influence of their impracticable 
theories and glaring inconsistencies. 

“You intimated that there was something else, 
Llewellyn,” she continued. 

“At first it was ludicrous in the extreme; 
better than reading anj^ comic paper. There were 


LLEWELLYN LITCHFIELD. 


21 


several intensely conceited men. One of them 
never neglected opportunity to eulogize his own 
wisdom. He declared that the special danger to 
the Clmrcli was its failure to recognize his worth, 
and that, though he was poor and could not 
pay his debts, had he not left the State of New 
York in early life, he would long since have 
been elected its Governor.’’ 

“ Ha, ha, ha ! ” joined in the father who had 
entered unobserved the moment before, and heard 
his son’s description of the loquacious and lugu- 
brious egotist. 

“I should fear you had been at the minstrels,” 
said Mr. Litchfield ; “ only you intimated that it 
was in a church.” 

“ Better than any minstrels, father, until I 
became tired of it. I was explaining to mother 
how I got off from going to prayer-meeting. At 
this place there were several other intolerable 
bores. One had a very lengthy, commonplace 
prayer, which he always insisted upon repeating. 
Another was sure to tell us how it was when 
he was in- Louisiana. And several religious 
vagrants were harbored there, on account of the 
timidity of the church leaders, who were afraid 
both to insist upon order and to call in the 
police.” 

Here, Llewellyn,” exclaimed Lucy, coining 
into the room with a letter in her hand; ‘‘here 
is an introduction to my school-friend from Wash- 
ington, of the last graduating class at Cowles’ 


22 


SELF-GIVING. 


College ; I want }’ou to become acquainted with 
her when you return. She was the most beau- 
tiful girl in the institution ; and so sweet in 
spirit and charming in manner. She did not 
lead in scholarship, but is a splendid singer.’^ 

“Is she a Christian?” asked the mother, 
whose quick mind took in all the possibilities 
which might follow that letter of introduction. 

“ O, yes, mamma ; in good and regular stand- 
ing in the Presbyterian Church.” 


CHAPTER II, 


JUNIOR AND SENIOR. 

A fter the brothers had been at work a 
month, Llewellyn in the Junior class, and 
Charles in the Collegiate Institute, it became 
evident to the former that they would run 
behind in their finances unless they could man- 
age to secure a little additional income. Llewellyn 
had supposed that his brother would readily fall 
in with his own extremely economical habits, but 
he had been mistaken. 

Charley,” he said, “ we must have more money 
to support this establishment.” 

‘‘Well, my fatherly brother, hand me a pen, 
and I will give you my check for any amount.” 
“No joking now. There are breakers ahead, 
and we must steer clear of them.” 

“ Perhaps father and mother can help us a 
little more.” 

“ I would rather leave college a year, and 
teach, than to ask them for another dollar.” 
And Llewellyn’s manner showed some indignation 
that his brother should harbor the thought for 
a moment. 


23 


24 


SELF-GIVING, 


‘‘Wliat, then, do you propose?” 

“ There are two projects in my mind. You 
know tliat I understand shorthand writing, and 
had hoped to make it of considerable service. 
But wlien I report verbatim an evening’s lecture 
or a Congressional or political speech, it takes 
the remainder of the night to copy for the com- 
positors, and then my lessons suffer in conse- 
quence, and a whole college day is lost.” 

‘‘It is a pity that the compositors do not 
understand phonography.” 

“If they did, they would have a hard time 
reading other people’s notes. I cannot read all 
mine after they are cold, especially if I have 
been folio wiiig a very rapid speaker.” 

“ But I thought you had some plan for our 
relief.” 

“ Yes ; I propose having a class in shorthand 
writing. Several have told me they would join. 
It will take only part of the evening once or 
twice a week, and I can have our Society Hall. 
Twelve or fifteen pupils, at two dollars a quarter, 
will be a great help to us.” 

“I can be sexton,” exclaimed Charles, with a 
fling of his book on their study table. 

“ You can be more.” 

“Whew! I am ghid of that. What is it?” 

“ You have a pair of boxing-gloves, and also a 
couple of rapiers ; you appreciate that kind of 
sport.” • 

“ And you do not,” 


JUNIOR AND SENIOR, 


25 


“ Correct ; yet perliaps it will be well for tlie 
class to have a lialf-hoiir intermission (luring the 
evening, wlien yon may instruct them in ‘•the 
noble art of self-defence.’ ” 

“ Three cheers for the royal tact of my brother 
Llewellyn ! The probabilities are that the bo}"s 
will care more for my instruction than for yours.” 
“ My otlier plan is, that we take boarders. 
Two poor Sophomores are trying to make a dollar 
a week each cover their food, but they have 
had no such training as we have had with 
mother, and tliey are nearly ready to count tlieir 
experiment a failure. Now let them bring their 
cots into our room, and with a division of 
expense and labor all around, you and I can 
add a dollar and a half a week to our income.” 
Charles promptly fell in with these arrange- 
ments. The boarding-house plan worked admira- 
bly for nearly two years, and the shortliand 
writing class, with the boxing and fencing accom- 
paniment, numbered eighteen that winter. 

Llewellyn presented his note of introduction to 
the beautiful Providence graduate, and thereafter 
for months, the acquaintance with his sister’s friend 
monopolized much of his time. It was one too 
many “irons in the fire, and his studies began to 
suffer. Frequently in recitation he marked a notch 
below his previous record. 

He partly realized the situation ; but then she 
was evidently, to him, a remarkable young lady, 
and any man who had the opportunity to culti- 


26 


SELF^GIVING. 


vate her society, should do so, even to the 
sacrifice of a degree of standing in college. 

Laura Hamilton’s parents were pleased with 
their daughter’s new acquaintance, and extended to 
him many courtesies. 

Llewellyn was charmed with Laura’s singing, 
and with her piano-playing. He turned her 
music by the hour, and wondered how it could 
possibly have been half the time. 

Both were fond of skating, and over many a 
mile they glided hand in hand. Few could pass 
them on the ice, and they enjoyed flying far 
away from the others. 

One evening after music and wine, Laura drew 
from her pocket a well-filled envelope, saying : — 

‘‘I was reading this letter when you came. 
It is from two girls, whose acquaintance I formed 
in Saratoga, and who are now in Yonker’s 
Female College. One of them is Cleora Lyddell 
of Boston, and the other is Margaret Kilburne 
of Chicago.” 

“ The first name,” observed Llewellyn, “ is very 
poetical : the other has the sound of sterling 

character.” 

“ I do not understand them. There are a 
great many absurd reflections about missiona- 
ries. I really think that both .would like to 
go to the heathen. But tliey would get enougli 
of it in three months. Do you not think, Llew- 
ellyn, that this whole missionary business is perfect * 
nonsense?” 


JUNIOR AND SENIOR. 


27 


‘‘Indeed, Laura, I must confess that my con- 
victions of late have been drifting in that direc- 
tion. Were not these young ladies your friends, 
I might imagine them disappointed in society at 
home, and turning their attention to another field 
of conquest.” 

“ O, no; they are perfectl}^ charming in appear- 
ance and manner, and both their fathers are very 
rich. They live elegantly. I wish you knew 
them, only you would fall in love with both 
and I should be lonesome. No one to turn my 
music! No one to skate with me!” 

“ Do they say they intend to be missiona- 

• O > ’ 

lies c 

“ No ; but that a missionary has been visiting 
the college, and they think that such a life is 
the highest ideal in the world. They declare 
there is no such giving as the giving of self ; 
and, would 3’ou believe it? they even suggest 
tliat I — I should consider the question of throwing 
myself away upon ignorant black savages ! Take 
another glass of champagne with me, Llewellyn, 
and let us drink to the health of those silly 
girls. 

Junior exhibition came, and Llewellyn was one 
of the speakers. His theme was self-reliance. 
None upon the platform had a more manly 
bearing. He had not all the graces of oratory 
belono-iiio’ to one or two others of his class, but 
he was mucli more than an ordinary speaker. 
His oration was thoughtful. He lost himself in 


28 


SELF-GIVING, 


liis subject, and secured a real grip on the audi- 
ence. Many said, "‘That young man will make his 
mark in the world.” Laura Hamilton was quite 
sure of it; and she had arranged with a florist 
to have presented to him, before lie left the 
platform, an exquisite and expensive bouquet. 

But Llewellvn suffered a terrible mortiflcation 
that evening, and he felt that he never could 
rise above it. The ridiculous and somewhat wicked 
mock-scheme which the Sophomore class had dis- 
tributed, represented him washing dishes. He 
could not blame the under class for takings its 

O 

turn, especially when he remembered that the 
year before the mock-schemes were arranged in his 
room, as the place least likely for the Faculty 
to suspect, and that from thence the distributing 
committee marched to the hall. Yet this was 
cutting too closel}^ this picture of himself washing 
dishes. The boarding plan he had tried to keep 
a secret. Laura had known nothino- of it. But 

O 

now she knew all, as did also everybody else. 
Oh, what a disgrace! He did not wait for her 
at the door that evening, but hastened to his 
room, threw his bouquet upon the table, and 
indulged in a fit of mortification and melancholy 
until the return of his room-mates. 

Laura and Llew*ellyn did not meet for two 
weeks, and then casually in front of the Corcoran 
Art Gallery. She was crossing the walk to her 
elegant barouche, and he was on the way to the 
University to sweep the Professor’s rooms. 


JimiOE ANT) SENIOR. 


29 


He felt that lier greeting lacked the old cordi- 
alitv, and isunniiied that it was because in lier 
estimation he had fallen from a geiitleman to a 
poverty-stricken student. * The grand young girl 
from Massachusetts avenue, with her liveried 
driver and footman, would have to stoop very far 
to one who washed his own dishes, cooked his 
own food, and earned his living by making fires 
and sweeping rooms. 

“ Miss Laura, I have not met you lately ; 
please pardon my not calling. I have been very 
busy, and for a few days really ill.” 

“We shall be pleased to see you at our house, 
Mr. Litchfield.” 

“May I do myself the honor of calling to-mor- ’ 
row evening. Miss Hamilton?” 

“ Please delay a few days more, as we are in 
the confusion of house-cleaning.” 

“Ah! that accounts for your appearing unusu- 
ally weary to-day.” 

“ No, indeed, Mr. Litchfield, I have nothing to 
do with the house-cleaning. Father and mother 
never allow me to touch any kind of mean work. 

I bid you good-afternoon, sir 1 ” And the liigiily 
insulted young aristocrat sprang into her carriage 
and was whirled away. 

“ What a fool I am, and have been all this 
last winter!” exclaimed Llewellyn to himself. 
“That Vanity Fair had thoroughly bewitched me. 
Before Junior exhibition I resolved to propose to 
her, but now I see she would be the poorest 


30 


SELF-GIVING. 


kind of help to me in trying to get on in this 
world. O, tliank yon, Miss Liiuni, for showing 

yourself so plainly to-day. I could not be hired 

to call upon you again for all the wealth in 

yonder treasury vaults!” 

One evening during the first term of the 
Senior year, Llewellyn had his curiosity excited 
sufficiently to attend a missionary farewell ser- 
vice, in the Tabernacle Church. He said to 
himself, ‘‘ I will go in and see how these 
monomaniacs upon the salvation of the heathen,* 
perform.” 

The house was full, and the speaking was 

good. The pastor eloquently enlai'ged upon 
Christ’s great commission, and upon the opening 
opportunities for the Gospel in China. For this 
country the two missionaries present were to 
start that evening on their return. They were 
to leave tlieir three children in America, and in 
one of the front pews all of the family were 
together for perhaps the last time. 

Before the exercises were half through, the 

youngest, a boy of eight years, leaned . upon 
his mother’s arm and fell asleep. It was to 
be his last sleep as a child upon that arm 
of love. Llewellyn looked down from the gallery 
upon the scene. At first his heart was touched, 
and tears gathered in his eyes. But then 
came a reaction, and a thorougli revulsion of 
feeling toward the whole cause of Christian mis- 
sions which required such sacrifices. 


JUNIOR AND SENIOR. 

\ 


31 


“Those parents ought to he sent to the insane 
asyiam/’ he whispered to a classmate by his 
side. 

“ I do not think so,’’ was the reply. “ It 
seems to me they are preaching the best 
sermon I liave ever heard upon Christianity. 
Tliose parents would not do this except at the 
bidding of God, and with the support of the 
Almighty.” 

“God made natural feelings, and he cannot 
ask anything so unnatural as this,” persisted 
Llewellyn. 

“ For reasons, doubtless of infinite wisdom, 
he is daily asking multitudes of parents and 
children to separate at the gates of death; why 
may he . not ask a few upon the threshold of 
world-evangelization ? ” 

“ Anyway,” insisted Llewellyn, “ I shall not 
remain to see any more of this exhibition. 
I would like to report it to a society for the 
prevention of cruelty to children. Good-night ! ” 

Ah ! Llewellyn had, indeed, lost all interest 
in the mission-cause. He had no sympathy for 
it, and could not appreciate such sacrifice. He 
was still a Christian, though veiy formal and 
unfeeling. And while he had not forgotten, he 
thought little of the Heavenly Father’s unnatural 
and cruel parting from his only Son, that there 
might be salvation. 

It was his last college vacation home, and 
Llewellyn ran nearly all the way from the 


32 


SELF^GIVING, 


steamer’s dock to tlie parsonage. Under his arm 
was a large bundle of surprise presents: a 

sermon-case and a new book lor talliei', a muff 
for mother, a sash for Lucy, who was lioiiie 
on vacation, handkerchiefs for Charles; who had 
returned the week before, skates for Frank, a 
drum for Eddie, and a doll for the baby-girl, 
Rox3^ It was the first time he had ever been 
able to make such a display of love-tokens. How 
happy the dear ones would all be in a few minutes. 

‘‘•Hurrah! there is the house!'’ Llewelljni 
exclaimed to himself as he rounded a corner. 
“Be read)" with )'Our kisses and hugs!” 

He flew from the gate to tlie veranda, and then 
as the door was locked, kept ringing the bell uiiLil 
it was answered. 

“Hush!” whispered the wife of the Sunday- 
school superintendent, speaking through tlie partially 
opened door. “ Step in as quietly as possible. 
Your father is very ill. The doctors tluuk he 
cannot live through the day.” 

Llewellyn felt as if he had been shot. It 
was a thunder-bolt in a clear sky. Tlie affection 
he felt for his father was unusually strong and 
tender. Upon his judgment the son leaned with 
great confidence, and upon his counsel chiefly 
relied in preparing for the battle of life. 

“Will he know me?” asked Llewellvn with 

«/ 

quivering lips. 

“O, yes! His mind .is perfectly clear, though 
he is sinking very fast.” 


JUNIOR AND SENIOR, 


33 


“Is he expecting me this morning?’’ 

“Yes; and anxiously too. He knew it would 
be a great shock to you, and so requested my hus- 
band to meet you at the landing, and break the 
news o'raduallv.” 

CD %/ 

“ He missed me in the crowd, and then I 
took a short cut. But how considerate in father; 
it was just like liim. Oil, dear! I cannot — cannot 
endure this! I hear fatlier’s voice. He is singing.” 

“ Yes ; he is singing half the time, ” replied 
Mrs. Belclier. “He is perfectly happy, and is 
doing all he can to comfort your poor mother and 
the children.” 

“ Who is at the door ? I cannot see. Llew- 
ellyn ? ” 

“No, father,” replied Lucy; “it is Mrs. 
Belclier. Brother will soon be here.” 

“He is here, father,” sobbed Llewellyn, as he 
stepped into the room and knelt by his mother 
at the bedside. 

“Do not cry, my boy.” 

“But how shall we live without you, father?” 

“ The Lord has promised to be a father to 
the fatherless, and the widow’s God. Dear ones, 
all ol; you, lean hard on the promises. That is 
right, Llewellyn, take my hand , and, mother, keep 
tightly hold of the other. I must siim again: 

When tlirougli the deep waters I call thee to go, 

The I'ivers of sorrow shall not overflow; 

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, 

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. 


34 


SELF-GIVING. 


The voice fcilterecl. The eyes were becoming dim. 

“Draw the cui’taiii so that I can see you all. 

“It is drawn, father; and the sun is shining 
upon ns,” sobbed Lucy. 

“ Blessed sunshine ! I cannot, then, use it any 
more. But the light of the Gospel grows 
brighter: in it I see more clearly every moment. 
O, I am glad I liave been a preacher of tlie 
Gospel these twenty-eight years! Llewellyn, there 
is nothing God so honors as self-giving in his 
service. I wish vou were to be a minister 
or a missionary ; but I leave it with the Lord. 
Whatever your calling, do not be satisfied with 
giving your money and time and influence to 
Christ; give yourself! give 3u:)urself ! Remember 
it was the self-giving of Jesus that makes this 

(lyii'g t)ed 

Feel soft as downy pillows are; 

While on his breast I lean iny head, 

And breathe my life out sweetly there.” 

His words were now almost inaudible. The 
kneeling family-circle could distinguish only such 
•faint expressions as “ Sweetly there ; ” “ nearer 

my Father’s house;” “rest for the weary;” “the 
shadow of a great rock:” “immortality;” “Thine 
cannot die;” “beautiful land;” “no storms ever 
beat ; ” “ meet one another again.” 

His lips moved as if he would kiss them once 
more. Each in turn — baby first, and mother 
last — bent ^ over the loved form, and, pressing 
the pale lips, kissed good-night. 


CHAPTER III. 


CLEORA LYDDELL AND MARGARET KILBURNE. 

O N Beacon Hill, in Boston, the Lycldell man- 
sion was one of the most imposiiig. A 
brownstone front, four stories and a French-roof 
in heiglit; it had a central hall witli spacious 
rooms on either side, bay-windows, and an ascent 
from the street of solid and elaborate workman- 
ship. The owner, for many years an importer in 
the silk trade, had amassed a fortune. None 
had more honestly acquired wealth, or were 
more generous in its possession. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lyddell moved in the cultured society of this 
“ Athens of America ; ” for, though he was a mer- 
cliant, they had improved their .opportunities of 
instructive readinsf and intellectual entertainments. 

Their daughter Cleora, an only child, was a 
beautiful girl of fifteen. Her beauty, how^ever, 
Avas not of that superficial kind wdiich dazzles 
the frivolous, and comes and goes with the bloom 
of youth, and which fashion-plates reproduce to 
recommend new stvles of dress. Her features and 

v/ 

form were pleasing, though not classic ; her eyes 
were full of expression,' though neither black nor 

35 


36 


SELF-GIVING. 


bine; and though a little over height, it seemed 
to be needed to cany that thonglitful counte- 
nance and dignified earnestness and wealth of 

affection. Had she been made more beautiful, 

she would have been less beautiful. Her hair 
was golden, her teeth perfect, and her emotions, 
as with those of her complexion, played over her 
features like sunbeams upon the clouds of the 
morning. ‘^What an intelligent and interesting 

daughter you have,” was frequently said to the 
fond parents. She was a real mother’s child, 
already showing the same common sense and 
personal magnetism. Life being spared, she was 

sure to make her mark with both head-work and 
heart-work, and to become more and more attrac- 
tive,’ while others were losing their charms. 

Mr. Lvddell, with all his excellencies of char- 
acter, was under one serious delusion which had 
influenced the judgment of both mother and 
daughter. He considered mone}^ an equivalent 
not Old}- for manual labor, but for all kinds of 
philanthropic and religious personal effort. A 
man who could give money could thus meet all 
his own obligations to the poor, the benighted, 
and to God. 

“ Father,” said Cleora one evening as she saw 
him drop the newspaper, my Smulny-school 
teacher, the missionary of our cliui’cli, was relat- 
ing yesteixhy some very interesting stories of 
her work among tlie poor ; and when I told her, 
after school, that I longed to see those scenes 


CLEORA LYDDELL AJ^D MARGARET KILBURNE. ST 


with my own eyes, and to help the lielpless 
with my own hands, she invited me to go with 
her at any time my parents gave permission.’' 

‘‘-My child, it is not best for you. In every 
department there must be division of labor in 
this world, and work is best done by each one 
attending to his own business. Your teacher is 
a missionary ; that is her calling. I pay a liun- 
dred dollars on her salary; it is my calling to 
earii that hundred dollars toward her support. 
You are of my family, not hers; and, while we 
are prospered, you also should confine your 
attention to giving to the various deserving char- 
ities.” 

‘‘But, father, it seems so much like our not 
doing any good ourselves, and merely hiring 
otiiers to do it.” 

“ O, no, daughter. They lift one end, and 
we the other of the same load. It may be 
necessary for you to - exercise a little of the 
grace of self-denial in conforming to this wise 
arrangement ; but it is best, do you not say so, 
mother 1 ” 

“Well — yes — but I must confess, husband, 
that when we had only little to give, and I 
went myself with that little to the poor and 
the suffering, I found more joy, more assurance 
of God’s blessing, than now, when we merely 
lead subscription papers and put the largest bills 
into the collection boxes.” 

The minister of their (^lurch had frequently 


88 


SELF-GIVING, 


conversed with Mr. Lyddell upon this subject, 
and had done what lie could to counteract the 
home-iiiflueiice of the father’s mistaken theory. 
Still, his wealthy parishioner would do nothing 
but give. The preacher must do the preaching, 
the choir the singing, the sexton the care-taking 
of the building, and the various missionaiy agen- 
cies the missionary work, and he would sign his 
checks; nothing more. Christ did not thus; and 
his spirit cannot be pleased with any such isola- 

tion from personal contact with a suffering, dying 
world. 

Never was there a Koine more hospitable to 
ministers and missiona]*ies. It had a suite of 

rooms, furnished expressly for them. In the 

bookcase was a well-selected libraiy of theologi- 
cal and missionaiy literature. The writing-desk 
was fully supplied with stationery, and all the 
envelopes Avere, stamped. The coachman had 

orders always to bring out the horses at the 
call of these guests, and mother and daughter 
were never happier than when entertaining and 
being entertained bv returned missionaries. No 
wonder that these worn and weary ones from 
foreign lands enjojmd visiting in this home. And 
there are many such homes awaiting them, if 
not as elegant, yet equallj" comfortable, cordial 
and restful. It is the working of the great law 
of compensation , and if the labor of missionaries 
among the benighted heathen is the most tire- 
some and tearful, yet ^none others have as many 


CLEOBA LYDDELL AND MABGABET KILBUBNE. 39 


friends, as many homes, and as much eager hos- 
pitality. 

One missionary woman from Barmah spent a 

week at the Lyddell mansion, wliose 'presence did 
not prove a benediction. The difficulty was, she 

had taken too sombre a view of mission life, had 

gathered oidy its shadows, and had no sunbeams 
to scatter around. She appeared to be afraid all 
the wliile that her life of self-sacrifice was not 

appreciated. 

“Do you ever have anything good to eat in 
Burinah?” inquired Cleora one day, as they 
turned from a turkey dinner to the family 
library. 

“Very seldom. It is rice and curiy, and 
curry and rice, until one really loathes the sight 
of it.” 

“ But I like rice very much. And once father 
sent liome a bottle of curry, which he said is 
used extensively in India ; and we thought it was 
very -delicious.” 

“ Rice is different from wheat. When you have 
to use it all the time, you soon tire of it, dread- 
fullv.” 

“ Do you not have any meat ? ” 

“ Very poor stuff, and very costly. With our 
small salaries, we cannot afford much of it.” 

“Are there any nice fruits in Burmah?” 

“ No ; they are all tasteless or repulsive. I 
assure you, Miss Cleora, a missionary must suffer 
continually the pangs of hunger. It is a great 


40 


SELF-GIVING, 


deal worse than being shut up in prison with an 
allowance of simple bread and water/' 

‘‘ I do not desire to be a missionaiy, then,” 
replied Cleora, shuddering. 

Indeed, it is a life of continual depression 
and torture. We must live on bare floors. Hor- 
rible lizards crawl over the walls, and fall on 
our heads — sometimes tearing out the hair and 
skin ; and there are snakes and centipedes and 
scorpions.” 

Oh, you poor missionaries, to be compelled to 
endure all such dreadful things ! ” 

‘‘But these are not the worst. O, I\Iiss Cleora, 
I could not tell you one tenth of what we suffer. 
The torturing little insects, we never can get 
rid of them. And the habits of the natives are 
so filthy, and of many of them so indecent. 
Every day the sights and the smells are enough 
to drive one crazy.” 

“ Sometimes your weather, I liave read, is very 
warm.” 

“Warm! Tliat is no name for it. It is hot, 
hotter, hottest. Why half of the year, Cleora, it 
is like going into an oven ready for the baking, 
and the other half of the ^year it is simply a 
change into a steam-bath. Man}^ cannot endure 
it, and they die. There are many missionaries’ 
graves in Burmah.” 

A call interrupted the conversation with this 
pessimistic missionary woman. It is probable that 
the good lady was suffering from physical indis- 


CLEOBA LYDDELL AND MABGABET KILBUBNE. 41 


f 


position, or that she had been in controversy 
with ‘Hhe Rooms.” She had not told any 

untruth, only it was all an extremely one-sided 
testimony. 

The facts are, that a majority of foreigners 
relish the native rice and curry as a standard 
diet ; tliat the meat, while not as good as the 
best in America, is wholesome and palatable ; 
that while the cost of beef is greater, less of it 
should be eaten in that climate; that they have 
much fruit whicli is generally considered very 
delicious, though not to compare, even as this 
missionary had in mind, with the best of home 
apples and pears ; that their wooden or mat- 
' covered floors are more comfortable than if they 
liad carpets ; that their lizards are very rarely 
troublesome, being far less aniioying than flies ; 
tliat oidy once in all her eight years did any of 
them fall upon her head, and then the little 
saurian was so frightened that he clung tightly, 
and slfe pulled him off too suddenly, scalping 
iierself a trifle ; that often years pass without 
residents seeing any snakes or centipedes or 
scorpions ; and the smell and immodesties to be 
found in the low-life neisfhborhoods of cities and 

^ O 

towns in America, are sometimes comparable to 
what the missionary encounters in heathen lands. 
Indeed, tlie filth and nudity of other and inferior 
races are not as impressive as when exhibited by 
those of our own complexion, our own Caucasian 
• 



42 


BELF-GIVING. 


Cleora turned to receive her caller with a 
mental resolve never'" to be a missionary, and 
with a strengthened conviction that her father 
was right. 

The large summer residence adjoining the 

Lyddell cottage at Newport belonged to the Kil- 
burnes, of Chicago. There were only three in 
the family, father, mother, and their daughter 
Margaret, a remarkably intelligent and interesting 
young lady of sixteen. Mr. Kilburne’s- Western 
home was the most sumptuous palace upon 

Michigan Avenue. Until his late purchase at 
Newport, their summers had been spent upon a 
little farm a few miles beyond Chicago, which was 
still lield in the wife’s name as a retreat, should 
financial reverses ever overtake them. 

That the fickle winds of fortune should some- 
time blow the other way was quite probable, 
for Mr. Kilburne was one of the wildest specula- 
tors in oil, iron and wheat. Legitimate business was 
too tame for him. There was not enough excite- 
ment in hona fide investments and actual transfers 
of property. He was continually dealing in mar- 
gins, or in other words, betting upon the rise or 
fall of the market. Sometimes his name appeared 
in the papers as the leading manipulator of a 
great ‘‘ corner.” One season he and his friends 
held back from the market for a month several 
millions of bushels of wheat, though they had 
never paid for a tenth of it; and thus tempora- 
rily a fictitious value was created, which realized 


CLEOBA LYDJDELL AND MABGABET KILBUBNE. 43 


to Mr. Kilburiie over two liundred thousand 
dollars. Yet he had lost an equal amount in oil, 
and tlioug'h at this time he was largely oh the 
winning side in iron, there were many wise heads 
which predicted that at no distant day tiie bot- 
tom would fall out of all tliis reckless gambling, 
and that the Kilburnes would have to come 
down to the wife’s little farm. 

Mr. Kilburne’s mother was a very godly Avoman, 
Avhose heart mourned over the worldliness of her 
son and his wife. Sometimes her faith Avas draAvn 
to its utmost tension, as she thought of her 
manj^ prayers and counsels, and years of better 
example. Was she, after all, to die and leave 
her boy a slave to Mammon, and her daughter- 
in-law a blind devotee to the fashions and friv- 
olities of this Avorld ? Mysterious indeed, but 
frequentl}^ the blessings, born of a mother’s pious 
heart, pass over successive generations, and reap- 
pear as Heaven’s OAvn planting and fruitage in 
children’s cliildren. 

Thus, it was Avith the yearnings and endeaA^ors 
of this aged saint. God blessed her life and labors 
to Margaret. The pearls she scattered around the 
feet of her own Thomas and his Catherine, Avere 
gathered by the little fingers of the granddaughter. 

Durino- the last visit of the venerable mother 
to the home on Micliigan Avenue, Margaret one 
evening, after her })arents had gone to tlie theatre, 
placed a liassock beside her grandmother, and 
inquired with thoughtful, eager expression — 


44 


SELF-GIVINO. 


Do YOU not think I am a Cliristian ?’^ 

Wliy sliould I tliink so, my darling?” 

“Well, I do not like to go wliere papa and 
mamma are to-niglit, but enjoy meeting with Chris- 
tians where they sing of Jesus and his love.” 

“ I have gladly noticed this in you, and have 
frequently thanked God for it, my^ child.” 

“And, grandmamma, I care more for the Bible 
than for all the other books in our library. It seems 
as if God wrote it for me — all for me. I have 
read the Gospel of John and half of tlie Psalms 
so many times, that I almost know them by 
heart.” 

“ Why do ymu love Jesus and his word so 
very much?” 

“ He was wounded for my transgressions. He 
was bruised for my iniquities^; the chastisement 
of my peace was upon him ; and with his stripes 
I am healed.” 

“ Do ymu desire to serve him ? ” 

“ O, yes, indeed ; with all my^ heart ! If only 
I were a man, I would be a minister or a mis- 
sionary, and go everywhere telling the ‘ old, old 
story ’ of Jesus and his love. Papa and mamma 
contribute money to missions, and they let me 
give one hundred dollars a year ; but I would 
give myself, if I could, a hundred times over.” 

“ If, when yon are a few years older, darling, 
and have completed your education, ymu should 
still desire to be a missionary, God may open 
the door. Do jmu pray every day?” 


CLEOBA LYDJDELL AND MABGABET KILBURNE. 45 


“ Indeed, grandmamma, I could not live without 
it. I pray every morning and every night ; and 
some days I am really impatient for night to 
come, when I may go alone into my room and 
lock the door, and read the Bible and talk with 
Jesus.” 

'‘Why do you lock the door?” 

“ Because — mother — I would rather not tell 
A’ o u , o- r a 1 1 d m a m m a . ” 

"And 1 do not wish you to tell me; no! 'But 
liave you other reasons for thinking you are a 
Christian ? ” 

" I am not afraid to die. I am more afraid to 
live and meet the temptations of this world. But 
I was reading last night in my Bible, the one you 
gave me Christmas — let me kiss you, grand- 
mamma— I was reading that God has a way of 
escape from temptation for every one, and that the 
grace of the Lord will be sufficient unto me. 

"Grandmamma, why' are you crying? There, 
let me wipe away those two big tears ! In a little 
wliile — for oh! dear, you are so old — God will wipe 
away all tears from 3^0 ur e}'es.” 

" My lieart is troubled, darling ; A'^et not, oh, not 

f t ” 

or 3’ou : 

" Wli}\ grandmamma, Jesus sa}^s : ‘Let not }^our 
heart be troubled : }'e believe in God, believe also 

in me. In 1113^ Father’s house are many mansions: 
it it Avere not so, I Avould have told you. I go 
to prepare a place for 3*0 u.’ ” 

Yes, a place for me ^ a place for you; but ah, 


46 


SELF-GIVING. 


will there be any - place prepared for — Let us 
kneel and pray together, darling. It is pretty 

liard for me to get down^ on these old knees, 
but I like to do so; it seems to bring me 

nearer to the mercy-seat where Jesus answers 

prayer. There, help me a little ; I am very tired 

and weak to-night.” 

But when the}' Inid knelt by the old arm-chair, 
and were ready for prayer, a verse was suiig in 
the adjoining cimrch meeting, wliicli was so dis- 
tinct and familiar, and so strangely coincident 
with the Scripture IMargaret had been repeating 
to the weary, weeping saint, that they Avaited in 
silence : — 


He is fitting up niy mansion, 

Which eternally shall stand ; 

For my stay shall not be transient 
In that holy, happy land. 

There is rest for the weary, — 

‘‘ Grandmamma,” whispered Margaret, after wait- 
ing a few moments ; “ do you wish me to pray first ? ” 

There was no answer. 

Grandmamma ! ” 

But no reply. Margaret touched her arm, and 
laid lier hand upon the snow-white head, but the 
spirit was not there. Already it had entered 
u})on that ‘‘ rest which remaineth for the people 
of God.” 

The third of August, 1858, was the fifteenth 
anniversary of Cleora Lyddell’s birthday. Her 


CLEOBA LYDDELL AND MARGABET KILBUBNE. 47 


parents arranged to celebrate it with a grand 
party at Newport, and Margaret Kilbiirne was 
heart and hand witli Cleora in the preparations. 
No arrangements were made for dancing, for 
Cleora declared she would not have it, and Mar- 
garet agreed witli her that it was not a really 
becoming amusement for gentlemen and ladies. 
But they })laniied and practised for readings and 
music ^ and games, while Mr. and jMrs. Lyddell 
made every effort for the young people to liave 
a pleasant time ; and they did. 

Mr. Kilburne and j\Ir. L}aldell were seated 
together near the close of the evening, enjoying 
the evident success of their daughters in making a 
party pass off pleasantly without wine or dancing, 
when the former observed : 

“ Lyddell, our daughters deserve a monument. 
You and J are making money, let us invest.” 
“The fact is, Kilburne, they are developing 
astonishingly. This affair to-night would please 
immensely nearly all the ministers in the country. 
I meant to have wine, but Cleora, the witch, hid 
the cellar key. And if she had not protested, I 
would have engaged a band for dancing. What 
is your idea of an investment for these girls ? ” 
“They are talking all the time about the poor, 
and the afflicted, and the heathen, and the mis- 
sionaries. I say we go halves on a ten thousand 
dollar investment in commemoration of this even- 
ing ; the girls to decide for what benevolent 
object the fund shall be placed.” 


SELF’-GIVING. 


48 

“Agreed; let me call to order, and yon 
announce it.” 

Mr. Kilburne tlien explained that Mr. Lyddell 
and himself wislied -to comineinorate this fifteenth 
birthday anniversary of Miss Cleora by a ten thou- 
sand dollar investment in some good cause , that it 
would be known as the Cleora-Margaret Fund; and 
that the two girls might decide now; or afterwards, 
to what benevolent cause 'the gift should be made. 

They whispered togetlier, and quickly reported 
tlie Woman's Union Missionary Society of New 
York, and its Zenana work in India. 

A blank look stole over the countenances of both 
fathers. They glanced at their wives, but there 
was evidently no information there. 

“I say, Lyddell, what do they mean?” 

“I do not know. It must be all rio-ht. Tliese 

o 

girls read missionary literature and get far ahead 
of us ill this line.” 

“ Probably some tribe of Indians, poor wretches ; 
and these philanthropic New York women are send- 
ing them blankets.” 

“ I would ask them what Zanas means, and some- 
thing about the Woman’s Society, but I do not 
wish to before all these hundred young people. 
Quite likely many of them are posted, and we 
should appear very ridiculous.” 

“ Better trust the girls, and say all right.” 

O ^ O 

“All right, then; for all time interest only to 
be used ; the Cleora-Margaret Fund, in the Mis- 
sionary Women’s Union” — 


1 


CLEORA LYDDELL AND 31 AEG ABET KILBUBNE, 40 


“No, fatlier ! ” whispered Cleora ; “it is the 
“Woman’s Union Missionaiy Society.” 

“ You are right. It is well, in making gifts 
to corporate societies, to state their names accu- 
rately.” 

“Yes,” added Mr. Kilburne ; “and it is for their 
Zebra enterprise.” 

“ Zenana, father,” interrupted the mortified 
Margaret. 

“ O, yes ! a slip of the tongue : the similarity 
of the first two letters.” 

“I say, Lyddell,” grumbled Mr. Kilburne, as 
they separated for the evening, “ if we do not wisli 
to make fools of ourselves again, we had better 
read the mission-periodicals.” 

“Anyway, I am going to find out before retir- 
ing to-night, and without asking Cleora, if possible, 
what Zenana means. I half suspect that it is a 
foundling hospital.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


THE GIRLS AT COLLEGE. 

T he month following, Cleora and Margaret 
entered Yonker’s Female College. It was 
of course arranged that they should be room- 
mates, as also that their apartments should be 
elegantly furnished. They took high rank in their 
class, for in addition to their natural ability and 
thorough preparation, they applied themselves faith- 
full}^ to their studies, declined false helps, and 
were so regular in their habits, that neither sick- 
ness nor physical' weakness interfered with their 
intellectual labor. Teachers and fellow-students 
soon learned to value them for their moral and 
religious character, more than for their social 
position and mental capacit}^ 

Their special accomplishments were ' soon appar- 
ent — Cleora’s reading and recitation, and iMar- 
garet’s writing and singing. There was always 
perfect silence, the dropping of a pin could be 
lieard in the class-room or society hall, or chapel, 
whenever the one was interpreting from book or 
memory the thoughts of authors ; and the same 
eager attention was given to the admirable com- 

60 



The Girls at College. — Page 50 





* 


THE GIBES AT COLLEGE. 


51 


positions and delightful songs of the other. If 
tliey had not been Christians, they would have 
become vain, with so much attention and so 
many compliments. 

“ Cleora,” said Margaret one Sunday morning, 
‘Miow would you like to go this afternoon to that 
new mission Sunday-school on Clay street?” 

“ A capital idea ! No doubt we can secure per- 
mission, and perlnips our services may be accepted 
for awliile as teachers of some little boys or 
girls.” 

‘‘Indeed, Cleora, it is not right for us to enjoy 
so many advantages, and not be doing something 
for others.” 

“ I often think,” continued Margaret, “ tliat 
after graduation I would prefer above all tilings 
to devote my life to some missionary work in 
home or foreign lands.” 

“ O, do not think of going to the heathen,” 
quickly responded Cleora ; “ that is for others ; 
not for you and me.” 

“ Perhaps so ; perhaps not. Why should you and 
I stay at home ? ” 

“Because we can, and have opportunity at 
least to do a vast amount of good here.” 

“ But I presume that is true of almost all who 
have gone to the thousand millions of heathen; 
and you would shut out the Gospel from the 
majority of the world to gratify a stay-at-home 
feeling ! ” 

Both became very happy as teachers in that 


62 


SELF-GIVING, 


Sunday-school. They relished their studies the 
more since they were giving as well as receiving. 
Through tlieir scholars they became acquainted 
with several families, in whose liomes tlieir visits 
were as ‘‘ cups of cold water to thirsty • souls.” 
Two liours every Sunday and Wednesday, while 
classmates were reading books, they were reading 
poetry and romance in real life. The mother of 
one in Cleora’s class had not left her bed for ten 
years. But such a patient sufferer ; so tliorouglily 
resigned to the will of God; so diligent with her 
fingers in crocheting, and thus helping in home 
support. The young teacher felt that she received 
in that lowly tenement much more than she could 
possibly give. 

In another home intemperance was the cloud of 
sorrow. Both the father and the eldest son were 
slaves to tlie tyrant. Here Cleora found her first 
new scholar. She was told by a neighbor that 
only the mother and her little girl were at 
home. 

To her gentle knock a harsh voice screamed. 
Come in ! ” 

‘‘Thank you; I am trying to find more Sunday- 
school scholars for my class, and I hear that 
you have a dear little girl.” 

“ There she is asleep on her bed in the corner. 
Her father sent her for rum late last night, and 
she is making up lost time.” 

Only a bundle of straw and a little form 
wrapped in an old ragged blanket. Just then the 


THE GIRLS AT COLLEGE. 


53 


child turned from the wall, partly awakened by 
the cold, and drawing the folds more tightly 
around her shoulders, said : — 

‘‘ O, mamma, I wonder what really poor people 
do ! ” 

“Here is a grand young lady come to see you! 
Wake up!” 

“I’ve been dreaming.” 

“ Wliat have you been dreaming, darling?” in- 
quired Cleora, her heart already won. 

“ That a beautiful angel came to see me, and 
took me up in her arms and kissed me ; and she 
told me of a father and a brother in the skies who 
always love little girls ; and she said that this 
brother had bought a new dress for me ; and — 
I forget the rest. O, it was the sweetest dream 
I ever had ! ” 

“ If you will come to my Sunday-school class 
next Sunday, I will tell you the rest of it,” said 
Cleora, Ijardly able to restrain her own emotions. 

A bundle was left by an expressman the next 
morning for the little dreamer’s Sunday outfit, 
including shoes, stockings, a warm plaid dress, and 
a hat. 

Margaret’s protegh were boys. She had a hard 
time with them, but it paid well in the end. A 
dreadful oath in an undertone from one of them, 
connected with an observation regarding the new 
teachei’, was her introductory greeting. For a long 
time it was very evident, that two or three of the 
boys came only for fun, and that they meant to 


51 


SELF-GJVJNG. 


have most of it out of her. But eventually her 
heart and tact conquered, and through her class 
'she gained access to several homes which were 
made far better and happier by her sunshiue and 
benefactions. 

One especially, the little attic retreat of her 
brightest boy. Tliere lie lived alone with his 
mother : he said he had never seen his father, and 
knew nothing about him. For a year nearly, Mar- 
garet could secure no invitation, not even permis- 
sion, to call from the once celebrated theatre 
actress. “ Mother says she prefers to be alone,” 
was the invariable reply to he.r repeated solicitations. 

At last came a beautifully written invitation, 
with added regrets, that one who had been so 
kind to her child, had been so rudely treated. 

“ I desired to meet 5^011, Miss Kilbunie,” said 
the actress, after giving Margaret the only chair 
in the room, and seating herself upon a box, not 
to solicit any charity ; that we refuse from every 
person. My son does errands for one of the stores, 
and his employer occasionally sends me a little 
sewing. But I have noticed that Heniy^ has lately 
taken special pleasure in learning pieces and speak- 
ing them here to me, and my anxieties are 
aroused lest it be the commencement of tempta- 
tion to the stage.” 

‘‘ That taste, Mrs.” 

Do not say Mrs. ; I was never married. Say 
only Antoinette.” 

— that taste for memorizing and recitation from 


THE GIRLS AT COLLEGE, 


65 


standard literature is one wliicli niy room-mate is 
very earnest in cultivating, and I am beginning to 
find myself quite inspired with her enthusiasm.” 

‘‘ Better it were not so. I was once a student 
at Clifton Hall, and well along in my course. 
‘ Several of tlie congregation of a theatre-loving 
minister of the town arranged for an amateur per- 
formance. I had a leading part, was very suc- 
cessful, and it turned my head. The next day’s 
paper eulogized me as a coming star of the first 
magnitude. I gave up my studies and home and 
moral associations, and joined a stock company in 
Rochester at five dollars a week.” 

should think that with so many extra 
expenses for wardrobe, you would have soon 
starved,” observed Margaret. 

“ I was determined to succeed. And look at 
my success ! See tlie elegant paintings upon these 
walls, tlie artistic frescos, these Persian rugs upon 
the floor ! See my piano, and my library ! Notice 
the gorgeous robe in which I am attired. Look ! 
is my Henry driving home with the bays or the 
the grays? 

‘‘Yes, I was bound to succeed. But who talks 
of me now? The flowers are all faded that once 
fell in showers at my feet. You think I am forty- 
five; I am onh^ thir,ty-two., Wrecked at thirty- 
two ! My God ! ” 

“But the ‘wrecked’ are often saved,” said 
Margaret, laying her hand upon the, bowed head 
of the groaning Antoinette. 


66 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ Not such as me ; but save yourself, and save 
my child! Never go to the theatre. Let ama- 
teur theatricals alone. Beware of managers : ah ! 

how many of them manage to ruin girls!” 

“ Do all, Antoinette, who are in the theatrical 
profession, lead immoral lives? ” 

“Not every one. But as a rule: the exceptions 
are like the fireflies in a dark night, only flit- 
tiim here and there. Rarelv does our life fail to 

O ^ 

destroy body, mind, and soul.” 

“ I had not thought that the prospect be}''ond 
the foot-lights is so terrible.” 

“Ah! the wrecks are mostly unknown. The 
world talks of Charlotte Cushman, but has thrown 
me to the dogs. My companions crowd to-day 
the dens of every city and town in the land. 
Thousands of them will be walking^ the streets 
to-night. And their victims, ha, ha! we have 
thrown them bv the thousand into hell ! ” ' ' 

%j 

M aro'aret shuddered. She had at times enter- 

O 

tained the quixotic idea of giving her life to the 
reformation of the stage. She felt tliat she might 
win a high position, and with unsullied character 
and earnest endeavor could be a mission arj^ to 
the profession. Antoinette had helped to dissij)ate 
such foolishness, for wliicb Margaret afterward was 
profoundly grateful to God. 

The young collegian persisted in her efforts for 
both, until Henry was in a Christian school in 
Albany, and his mother was appointed matron of 
its boarding department. 


THE GIRLS AT COLLEGE. 


57 


Cleora and Margaret were invited by a class- 
mate from Rochdale, to spend a Thanksgiving at 
her home. They accepted, and had ‘‘ a royal 
time,” not forgetting, as do the vast majority of 
Christian people, the hour assigned to the house of 
God. The three evangelical churclies had arranged 
for a union service, since at Rochdale, as almost 
eveiywhere, it was necessary thus to gather the 
scattered fragments in order to make a fair con- 
gregation. 

It was the year before the death of Rev. Mr. 
Litchfield, and he preached the sermon. His sub- 
ject was Self-Giving , the Measure of true Gratitude. 
Both the young ladies felt greatly strengthened 
in their determination to lay themselves upon 
God’s altar. 

At the dinner-table reference was made to the 
struggles for an education on the part of the preacher’s 
eldest son, Llewellyn. Mrs. Darrow, the hostess, 
seemed to know all about his boarding himself, and 
sawing wood, and sweepijig floors, and sending his 
sister to Providence. 

“I admire such young men,” said Margaret. 

“ Every one of them is worth a dozen of the kid- 
gloved, perfumed dandies, who are ashamed of any 
work except that of the toilet, and understand only 
the arts of cosmetics and flattery,” added Cleora 
with a gesture that unfortunately upset her saucer of 
cranberries. 

‘‘Never mind,’" said Mr. Darrow, “I would much 
rather have missed my dinner, than lost that speech. 


68 


SELF-GIVING. 


Sny, Hattie, tlie only sensible girl the world was ever 
to see, did not take my name thirty-two years ago/’ 
“No, indeed, William; it was only thirty-one 
years ago. You are making me out an old woman, 
when 1 feel as young as ever.” 

“ That IS because I have taken good care of you.” 
“Well, even if you are a little conceited, I hope 
eacli of these girls will get as good a liusband.” 

“ Do you think, Mrs. Darrow, that we must be 
married?” asked Margaret. 

“ O, no ! many single women live most useful and 
happy lives.” 

“ I suppose,” observed Cleora in all earnestness, 
“ that in each case this should be left to Hun who 
will not fail to guide tlie prayerful spirit ariglit.” 

An epoch in the young ladies’ lives at college was 
created by the fortunate visit over Siuuhy’ of a mis- 
sionarv woman of the American Board, who had 
spent tw^enty-five years in Asia. She had been a 
whdow for two years, but w’as soon to return to com- 
plete her lifewvork, as if it had depended not on a 
husbaiid, but on Christ. 

Invited by the Society for Missionary Inquiry, she 
had addressed the young ladies in the chapel, and 
met many of them socially in the parlors. She was 
a most cheerful person, and all the while scattered 
sunbeams around the great subject of heathen evan- 
gelization. She spoke of trials, yet as only incidental 
to the greater opportunities, privileges and blessings. 
She desci-ibed the parting from home, yet so as to 
leave her hearers not beside the tearful parents, nor 


THE GIELS AT COLLEGE. 


69 


o 

Cl 


t the steamer’s clock, but in the shadow of the cross 
on Calvary. Slie made mention of some of the de- 
lightful attachments she had formed among the natives, 
of the intelligence and culture wliich frequently sur- 
pi-ised her, and of the indescribable satisfaction of see- 
ing constant progress made in the great work. She 
said times had changed materially since she first 
went out, and that now it was usual for the mission- 
aries to be comfortably housed and fed, to have in 
many places at least pleasant English societjq and to 
feel that with prayerful care of health, tlie probabilit}^ 
was for as long life in Christ’s service as in any of 
the absorbing, wearing occupations of the home-land. 

This visit was very opportune. With Cleora it 
almost entirely removed the unfavorable impressions 
of foreign mission life, left by the gloomy, shadow- 
gathering and scattering missionary from Burmah, 
who was entertained that week two years before, in 
her father’s house. Both Cleora and Margaret, from 
a private interview with this fairer and more prudent 
representative of the foreign work, felt a strength- 
ened conviction that their parents’ wealth and social 
position did not relieve them from personal obliga- 
tion. Still they should inquire, Lord, what wilt 
thou have me to do?” It was by no means settled 
that they would become foreign missionaries, but they 
were cpiite decided that they stood before God alone 
in this matter, and that it was their duty to take under 
prayerful consideration the question of giving them- 
selves, beyond all possible giving from home and in 
the home-land. 


60 


SELF-GIVING. 


It was directly after this visit of the missionary, 
that the joint letter was written to Laura Hamilton 
at Washington, over which the hitter and Llewellyn 
Litchfield made so merry with sparkling wit and 
sparkling wine. It was a part of the discipline of 
the young Christian toilers at Yonkers College, that 
they should try their best with tlieir friend Laura, 
and fail. 

Many a pleasant and profitable hour was spent at 
the observatory, until the astronomical professor in 
charge, a young man of pleasing address, became in- 
fatuated with Cleora. Promptly and decidedly, how- 
ever, she repelled all his advances, for, among other 
reasons, she could not endure his blank materialism 
and hostility to evangelical Christianity. 

Margaret also was called upon for a similar consci- 
entious decision. The son of a wealthy New York 
banker, wlio had large business dealings witli her 
father, pressed his attentions upon her. But, although 
he was everything in intelligence and heart and 
social position, that any young lady could desire, his 
not being a Christian was in her judgment an insu- 
perable obstacle. 

As might be expected, both Cleora and Margaret 
were very exemplary in their general deportment. 
They indulged in no clandestine interviews with 
young gentlemen. The}^ engaged in no correspond- 
ence which they were unwilling their parents should 
see. Yet they were not perfect, and occasionally 
showed, as in the following incident, that they both 
needed more reverence, thoughtfulness and years. 


THE GIRLS AT COLLEGE. 


61 


At midnight the mouse-trap sprung in one of the 
young ladies’ rooms. The little intruder was caught, 
and, despite tlie rules of absolute quiet at that hour, 
the news soon spread along the corridors of the insti- 
tution. 

Cleora suggested that they come into her room, and 
lay out the deceased in state. Soon it was crowded 
with more than fifty white-robed young ladies, full to 
overflowing with merriment; only the}^ had to be 
still almost as the dead mouse himself, lest the teach- 
ers should be awakened and spoil their fun. 

The corpse was placed on a stand in the middle of 
the room, and four of the girls with brooms at 
shoulder-arms, stood at the corners as guard of honor. 

Cleora with mock gravity read the burial service 
from Worcester’s Dictionary, commencing with 
mouse ; and Margaret followed with a solemn 
eulogy upon the deceased — his kindness to his wife, 
being probably at the time of his fatal accident, in 
search of food for her. Perhaps she was a confirmed 
invalid, awaiting now his return, alas, in vain. Then 
she exhorted her sisters to be instructed in fidelity 
and to proceed with the solemn services as still as a 
mouse. All appeared to Aveep. Especially were 
Cleora and Margaret inconsolable. In their extrem- 
ity of grief they pretended to faint, and were carried 
to their beds, where restoratives were successfully 
administered. Then with “ dust to dust, ashes to 
ashes, waiting until the next mouse nibbles in our 
trap/’ Cleora and Margaret opened the window, and 
with their hair-crimpers pitched it into the dark. 


CHAPTER V, 


OVER MANY LANDS AND SEAS. 


A t tlie time of graduation, Llewellyn Litch- 
field was in great perplexity. He desired 
to study law. But for a year or two now the 
necessities of liis widowed mother and lier fam- 
ily required that lie should secure an income 
above his own living. The oidy opportunity 
wiiich presented itself, or the rather, which he was 
able to secure after a most diligent search for 
montbs, was to accompany as assistant that inde- 
fatigable scientific traveller of Rochester, Professor 
Draw, upon an eight months’ geological and 
zooloo'ical tour in South America and Africa. 

o 

Llewellyn had shown special taste for these depart- 
ments of natural science, and the celebrated col- 
lector of cabinets, on acquaintance begun at a 
casual meeting, felt that he could afford to offer 
him his expenses and a thousand dollars. 

Llewell}ni’s great fondness for travel helped 
him to decide in this direction. He liad no idea 
of idling away his time by going around to dif- 
ferent cities and countries. Travelling, to liim, was 
a school only less valuable than college and the 

62 


OVER MANY LANDS AND SEAS. 


m 


stern _ experience of practical life. To liim people 
and landscapes, social and political institutioiis, 
the triumphs of genius in architecture and sculp- 
ture and upon canvas, and all the applications of 
the beautiful arts to industry the world over, 
were books, a vast library of standard volumes, 
inviting the earnest study of all, and to the 
thouHitful and serious holdincr out inducements it 

o o 

would be difficult, except as already suggested,'' to 
overestimate. 

Several of Llewellyn’s most dearly loved relatives 
endeavored to persuade liim to give up going- 
abroad. They urged that it would be throwing 
away the education and habit of close application 
he had already accpiired. He never could be good 
for anything afterward. Even his own mother, 
whose life liad been spent chiefly in a little round 
of domestic duties, utterly failed to appreciate 
the intellectual advantages of tlie opportunity 
offered, and was induced to a reluctant- consent 
only by the family necessities and the several hun- 
dred dollars advance money which the arrangement 
would place in her hands. 

Llewellyn visited Ids father’s grave the day 
before embarking from New York for Havana. 

‘‘Ah, father!” he exclaimed, as lie picked tlie 
little stones from the mound, and patted the sod 
into better shape, “ when I lost }mu, I lost my 
wisest, if not my best friend. Mother loves me, 
but she cannot understand this crisis in my life, 
as you would have understood it : you saw some- 


64 


SELF-GIVING, 


thing of the world, once walking all tlie way to 
Washingto'n to visit the capital, and working }"our 
psasage on canal-boat and steamer to Chicago, to 
know something for yourself about the great West. 
Oh, if I could only see you now, I believe I should 
-liave your cordial benediction ! ” 

After a week in Cuba, Llewellyn and the pro- 
fessor sailed for Jamaica. It was leavino' a Roman 
Catholic for a Protestant island. There was no 
difficulty in seeing that in the latter the people 
had made the greater social and political advance- 
ment. Gentlemen in both civil and militaiy ser- 
vice assured the young graduate, that neither reli- 
gion nor the missionaries made the difference, but 
Anglo-Saxon civilization. They did not appreciate 
that Christianity is the head and heart and power 
of that boasted civilization ; that the Bible is its 
light, and evangelization its opportunity. 

Llewellyn heard of no Protestant missionaries in 
Cuba, and it was long after his visit that the law 
tolerated anv other religious meetings than those 
under Roman Catholic auspices. Had he been 
more persistent in his inquiries, he might have 
found every Sunday while in Havana, an Epis- 
copal service on board the American man-of-war 
stationed in the harbor. 

It ^was unfortunate that the social circle, into 
which Llewell}^! was introduced at Kingston, 
was thoroughly out of sympathy with all mission 
enterprise, and largely retained the prejudices of 


OVER MANY LANDS AND SEAS. 


65 


the old anti-slavery times. He was told that the 
English missionaries were a very low-lived, worth- 
less set ; that the negroes among whom they pro- 
fessed to labor were incorrigibly lazy, their eleva- 
tion a hopeless task, and their religion hypocrisy. 
Tims he was blinded to tlie fact that, notwith- 
standing the late troublesome times and lingering 
prejudices and superstitions, the Jamaica-creole 
peasantry Avere rapidly becoming more intelligent, 
more truly religious, more industrious. 

One evening Governor Eyre invited Professor 
Draw and his assistant to dine at the Executive 
mansion. Several British officers and prominent 
planters of the vicinity Avere present. 

‘‘ Americans have shown their good sense,” re- 
marked tlie Governor at the table, 'Gii not sending 
any missionaries to Jamaica.” 


“ Hoav so, if you please, sir?” inquired Llewel- 
lyn. 

“ Missionaries are the most dangerous people to 
turn loose among a mass of beastly heatlien. They 
have done us more harm here than the cholera and 
small-pox epidemics.” 

‘‘I have heard,” said the professor, “ tliat dur- 
ing these terrible scourges to Avhich His Excellency 
refers, the missionaries from England Avere the dis- 
pensers of thousands of pounds sterling in medi- 
cines and clothing: and food.” 

Only the sugar-coating for the bitter pill we 
have had to SAvallow,” replied the host. ‘‘ These 
creatures come here, living on the charity of deluded 


* 


66 


SELF-GIVING, 


people at home ; they do nothing but build grand 
liouses and hire natives to serve them. If I had 
iny way, I would put tliein all in irons and send 
them to London on the next steamer.” 

“ I was riding past one of tlieir houses this 
morning,” remarked Llewelhm, ‘‘and noticed tliab 
it was rather a grand mansion for a humble mis- 
sionary.” 

“ But we are told,” explained the professor, 
“that these mission buildings, often for the sake 
of economy, combine under one roof a chapel, a 
school, and a printing establishment as well as the 
living rooms of the missionaries.” 

“ That cannot be so,” insisted the Governor. “To 
be sure I never have been inside of one of their hypo- 
critical dens, and never expect to; as soon go to a 
brothel.” 

Some knowing glances and half-suppressed smiles 
passed around the table, for the suggestion of the so- 
cial evil reminded of the principal ground of their 
difficulty with missionaries. Their own immoralities 
were being brought out too strongly in contrast by 
the social purity of the mission families. 

When Llewellyn sailed for Rio Janeiro, it was with 
strengthened prejudices against foreign missionary 
work. He had not become acquainted with aii}^ of 
the heroic, toiling band, had never visited a school or 
chapel, and had heard only a volume of slander which 
he was more than half-inclined to believe. 

Their steamer had first to touch at Vera Cruz before 
turning its course toward Brazil. Here,- after pajdng 


OVER MANY LANDS AND SEAS. 


67 


their respects at the American Consulate, their few 
days were fully occupied in searching for geological 
and zoological specimens of value among native col- 
lections. In the great variety of rich minerals from 
the high lands of the interior, they could see evidences 
of wealth and prosperity yet for Mexico, when anarchy 
should give place to a settled government. But they 
scarcely anticipated that in a score of years the rail- 
road and manufacturing capital of the United States 
would become largely interested in the regions beyond 
the Rio Grande ; and Llew^ell}^!, at least, did not 
dream tliat soon Mexico was to become a grandly 
successful mission-field for Episcopalians, Presby- 
terians, Metliodists, and a hopeful one for Congrega- 
tionalists and Baptists. 

Several weeks were spent in Brazil, and Llewellyn 
gathered a small vocabulary of Portuguese, through 
which to communicate with the mongrel population. 
Indeed, so successful was he in two months in'^mak- 
inof himself understood in hotels and stores and on 

o 

the highway's of public travel, that he felt quite in- 
dignant at the stories he liad heard from missionaries 
about the difficulties of acquiring a foreign language. 

They must, indeed, be a lazy gang, of small men- 
tal calibre,” observed the young traveller to himself 
one day, after an hour of successful shopping in Rio 
Janeiro, and that without the assistance of any inter- 
preter. Ah ! he little appreciated what a different 
matter it is to masier the heart-lano^ua^e and relig:- 
ions vernacular of a foreign peojde, to become able 
to trace all the subtleties of their thought, and to 


68 


b:elf-giving. 


qualify for the clear explauation of all the cardinal 
doctrines of Christianity. 

When Llcweellyn sailed for the African coast by 
way of Lisbon, in one of the Royal Portuguese line 
of steamships, he could tell of a great many things 
he had learned in South America. He had seen the 
vast ‘‘selvas,” or forest-plains, of the Amazon, had 
noted the delightful climate and rich soil of the Mis- 
sissippi-like valley of the La Plata, had handled sil- 
ver from Peru and Bolivia, copper from Chili, and 
visited some of the diamond-fields of Brazil. He 
had hunted upon the “ pampas,” seen the india-rub- 
ber and the caoutchouc, and studied the character of 
Spanish and Portuguese colonization. But lie had 
not gone very deeply into the question of the histori- 
cal contrasts between North and South America, and 
especially he had given no attention whatever to 
those needs and encouragements to missionary labor 
which had enlisted the Moravians in Dutch Guiana, 
and were beginning to attract the evangelizing enter- 
prise of Presbyterians to Colombia, Brazil and Chili, 
of Methodists to Uruguay and Buenos Ayres, of 
Baptists to Brazil, and of English missionaries to the 
Falkland Islands, Terra del Fuego, and Patagonia. 
“None, indeed, are so blind as those who will not 
see,” and no will is stronger than that of a traveller 
prejudiced against the work of foreign missions. 

A few weeks, and the energetic cabinet collectors 
were touching at the uninteresting ports of AVestern 
Africa. The coast is low and malarious, and when- 
ever they went ashore a few hours, while their steam- 


OVER MANY LANDS AND SEAS, 


69 


ship was exchanging mail and cargo, they were .glad 
to finish their bartering for whatever they could find 
ill their lin^ among the natives, and to return on 
board. At Sierra Leone Llewellyn thought he made 
a discovery, though history is full of the information, 
tiiat Christian missionaries are good for something 
to the cause of science. In Liberia he was 
impressed with the enormous cost of life with 
which missions there were carried on, not think- 
ing, even as few in Christendom had yet thought, 
of preparations thus being made at many points 
all around the coast for speedy advance into the' 
uplands of the great interior. As they passed 
the Congo, it had not the interest to them it 
has had since Stanley and tlie missionaries who 
liave followed in his footsteps. Cape Colony 
seemed already a Christian country, and the name 
of Livingstone was honored. Burton, Speke, and 
Grant had been making important discoveries in 
Eastern Africa, but the English and Scotch 
societies had not commenced their famous evan- 
gelizing enterprise in tlie neighborhoods of Nyanza, 
Tanganjuka and Nyassa. From Zanzibar they took 
steamer for Suez. 

We cannot linger with Llewellyn in Egypt, 
though we would gladly accompany him all over 
Cairo, and from Heliopolis to Thebes, but will 
only cross t1ie Nile and linger with him a moment 
at the great pyramid of Clieops, where an inci- 
dent occurred which changed the current of his 
life. The United States minister to China was 


70 


SELF-GIVING. 


on his way to the court at Peking. His party 
was but a few minutes in advance of Llewellyn, 
and was overtaken by him when but half-way 
up the side of the vast astronomical mausoleum. 
The diplomat and the young scientist recognized 
each other as Americans, their nationality being 
distinguishable the world over as easil}^ as that 
of any other people. Upon the summit Llewellyn’s 
replies and observations proved him the best read 
upon Egyptian topography and history, and the minis- 
ter plenipotentiaiy Avas glad to draw him out upon 
the worship of Osiris, Serapis and Isis, and upon 
the papyri, obelisks and hieroglyphics. As they 
Avere standing together upon that giddy height, 
looking up the valley of the Nile toward Abjnlos 
and Luxor, the envoy slipped and fell over the 
edge three feet to the next tier of stone. The 
accident Avas not serious, but extra help was 
required in the descent. Llewellyn’s kind atten- 
tions, added to the favorable impressions already 
made, soon brought him the offer of private sec- 
retary to the ambassador at a salary of twenty- 
five hundred dollars a year. 


CHAPTER VI. 


THE LYDDELLS IN JAPAN. 

W E are almost in Springfield, father, and you 
have hardly spoken to us since we changed 
cars at Albany. Are yon in a brown study to know 
what to do with your daughter now that she is through 
college ? ” 

o 

“ Not you alone, Cleora,” replied Mr. Lyddell. 
‘‘It is a question as to the disposal of all three of us 
for the coming year. Our firm decided last week to 
open a branch house as soon as possible in Yokohama. 
I am tl linking whether I had better go on and give 
personal attention to the enterprise fora few months.” 
“ And take mother and me with you ? O, father, 
that will be splendid. We could help you in select- 
ing silk — ” 

“You mean in wearing it. But I have quite made 
up my mind, mother consenting, to be off as soon as 
we can get ready for a six months’ residence in the 
Land of the Rising Sun. If mother objects, I will let 
one of my partners go.” 

“ You will not object, will you, mother?^’ pleaded 
Cleora with most anxious eyes. 

“ For father’s sake and your sake I am willing to 

71 


72 


SELF-GIVING, 


go ; but I am very mucli attached to home, and I 
cannot throw off the dread of the sea.” 

Business, pleasure, and duty conspired to the real- 
ization of the plan. Tliey went by way of Panama 
and San Francisco, and in seven weeks from leaving 
Boston, tliey were off the coast of Japan. 

It was nine years since Commodore Perry with 
President Fillmore’s letter, had anchored his squadron 
in the Bay of Yedo, and demanded official recog- 
nition. Meanwhile other nations had followed up 
this breach in the wall of Japanese seclusion, and 
Great Britain had secured by treaty the opening of 
six ports to foreign commerce. Tiie Shogun and his 
government, the Bakufu, daily felt the earthquake of 
the coming revolution rumbling beneath their feet, 
but the exhibitions of violence at this time were 
mostly in the south and around the person of the 
Mikado at Kivoto. 

The Lyddells immediately secured a residence upon 
the Bluff at Yokohama, an estate thev found all fur- 
nished and to let ; while for the new branch house, or 
silk “ hong,” as it was to be called, the Boston im- 
porter rented a convenient stone building upon tlie 
main street close to the Consulates. He did not hangf 
out any sign-board or do any advertising, for that 
would have deprived him and his family of the best 
foreign society. He hired his ‘‘ compradore,” a 
Chinese middle-man with a workiho: knowledo-e 
of both Japanese and English, and then bent 
every energy to the establishment of the new bus- 
iness enterprise, among customers he never met, 


TUE LYBBELLS IN JAPAN. 


73 


and to the installation a few months after of a 
nephew who came to take his place. 

At the same time Mrs. Lyddell and Cleora were 
equally industrious in becoming acquainted with 
the strange world by which 'they were surrounded. 
The servants of tlie house, whom they had re- 
engaged upon recommendation of tlie Ibinner occu- 
pant, relieved them almost entirely of domestic 
care, and every pleasant day they were off early 
and late searching the curio shops, watching the 
quaint ways of the people, visiting the temples, 
riding upon the neighboring Tokaido, and occasion- 
ally going to Tokio, Kamakura, and even as far 
as the llakone mountains, the beautiful setting of 
the matchless Fuji yama. 

“ Mother,” said Cleora one bright spring morn- 
ing, when the air was full of the fragrance of 
the cherry blossoms, “I have so often lieard the 
English residents here speak of Asakusa, the in (1st 
popular Buddhist temple of Tokio, that I wish 
very much we could go there to-day.” 

They went ; but the excursion resulted in more 
than the gratification of Cleora’s curiosity, even 
the opening of her heart, as it never had been 
ojiened before, with pity for the idol-worshipping 
heathen, and with longing desire to do something 
herself to bring them to the knowledge of the 
true light, the only Saviour of mankind. 

‘‘Yes, there they are, as I was told the other 
evening, buying paper prayers, and making them 
into spit-balls, and throwing them at Kwanon’s 


74 


SELF-GIVING. 


guardian idols, believing that if they stick they 
will be heard.” 

Poor deluded creatures, indeed,” responded the 
mother. ‘‘ And yonder, what a crowd under that 
immense, black tiled-roof I Let us see if we can 
find our way among them so as to catch sight of 
what they are worshipping.” 

“ I wish that some of our Boston friends, who 
think so highly of Buddhism,” observed Cleora, 
“ could watch this terrible scene with us one 
hour. This swarm of Buddhist priests moving 
around, how hypocritical and selfisli their looks. 
There can be no parallel between a system which 
they represent and the religion of Christ.” 

“ Yes, daughter, and tliere would not be phil- 
osophy enough even in Concord to set off attrac- 
tively these hundreds of prostrations before Kwanon 
and lier surrounding idols, in this great pantheon 
of Buddhism.” 

■^‘Everybody throws in money, and there must 
be a large amount of it beneath tliose grates in 
front of the chief altar. But look, mother, at that 
hideous old side idol ! it must be Binzuru, who 
cures diseases.” 

“ We must not get too near, Cleora, for those 
sick people around it may have some contagious 
disease.” 

‘‘But, oh dear, how pitiful; see them, mother, 
rubbing their faces and hands upon the old black 
wooden image, thinking that it is a god with 
power to save them from death.” 


THE LYDDELLS IN JAPAN. 


75 


III the spacious grounds of the temple, they 
saw the sacred Albino ponies fed as an act of 
merit and worshipped as gods ; all kinds of side 
shows known to the Japanese, presenting a scene 
very similar to that around an American circus, 
and among the throngs and the various altars and 
the gilded images, constantly tliose wliose steps 
take hold on death, evidently plying their immoral 
avocation in partnership Avitli the Buddhistic priest- 
hood. 

When they were seated again in tlieir phaeton, 
which Mr. Lyddell brought from San Francisco, 
and were well out upon the Tokaido toward 
Kanagawa and Yokohama, Cleora broke the silence 
of a lono' reverie with the exclamation : 

o 

‘‘ It is a shame, mother, that Christian people 
are so little interested in foreign missions ! This 
lieathen darkness is. perfectly dreadful. I have 
read translations of some of the traditional sayings 
of Buddha, and they have made me think that 
perhaps Asia and Africa might wait until Christ- 
ianity can reach them without special effort. But 
I did not dream that the situation is so terrible.” 
“We have much that is as bad as this heath- 
enism at home, Cleora ; and there, you know, is 
where charity should begin.” 

“But, surely you do not think tliat it should 
end there, mother dear? AVe have our many 
thousands of churches and ministers, our Bible 
and Christian literature and Sundav-schools ; and 
what have they here among these thirty-four 


76 


SELF-GIVING. 


millions ? What have three quarters of the popu- 
lation of the world ? Ignorance, superstition, idol- 
atry, licentiousness, intemperance, slavery, and only 
a few years when they and we shall pass into 
eternity.” 

But you mu'^t not take too much of all this 
upon your heart, my dear. God does not ask us 
to lift these mountains. When we return to 
Boston, you can interest others in foreign mission 
work telling the story of to-day, and I tijink 
your father woidd have no objections to your sup- 
porting a missionary here, or in China, or in 
India.” 

‘‘I would like to support myself as a mission- 
ary here. It would be a heaven to me to go to 
these homes and tell the women and children 
‘ the old, old stoiy of Jesus and his love.’ ” 

‘‘ You be a missionary, Cleora ! What could 
father and I do without 3^011 ? ” 

‘‘ Ah, mother, what did the Heavenl}^ Father 
do without Jesus, when the Well Beloved gave 
himself for us? That love unutterable has touched 
my heart, and I would rather work for' the 
salvation of the wretched heathen than shine in 
Boston society as the reigning belle of Beacon 
Hill.” 

At that moment the conversation was suddenly 
broken by an incident of not infrequent occur- 
rence during the few years which preceded the 
revolution of 1868 . 

None were more hostile to the foreigners than 


N 


THE LYBBELLS IN JAPAN. 


77 


the samurai, or two-sworded retainers of the feudal 
daimios. For centuries they had sustained their 
territorial nobles in the pride of almost regal 
power. Accustomed to exact for their lords the 
cringing homage of all the common people, they 
felt that the indifference of foreigners was intol- 
erable. Many lives had been endangered by these 
higli-spirited retainers of the jealous and turbu- 
lent daimios, and a number of English and Amer- 
icans had been cut down because they assumed 
to have equal rights with any of the gentry upon 
the public highways. 

About half-way from Tokio to Kanagawa, the 
ladies’ driver turned close to the side of the 
Tokaido to allow a daimio with a score of sa- 
murai to pass. That he should keep his seat, how- 
ever, remaining bolt-upright, when all common Jap- 
anese were expected to bow with their faces to 
the ground, was too much for three of the indig- 
nant retainers, and they sprung at him with drawn 
swords. Too quick for them, however, the driver 
escaped upon the other side, leaving the reins on 
the ground, and the ladies at the mercy of the 
infuriated samurai. 

Whether the disappointed knights were equal 
to the assassination of women on that occasion or 
not, Cleora did not wait to see, but with a 
bound seized the reins, and in an instant was in 
the driver’s seat, whipping the horses into their 
utmost speed for at least a .mile away from that 
scene almost of blood. 


78 


SELF-GIVING, 


Mr. Lyddell was upon tlie veranda awaiting 
their return, and Cleora’s position as driver im- 
mediately introduced a full description from both 
mother and daughter of their afternoon’s excite- 
ment upon the Tokaido. 

But as soon as dinner was over, Mrs. Lyddell, 
who had evidently something more important upon 
her mind than such exploits with exasperated 
samurai, followed her husband into his private 
library, and closed the door. 

“I tell you what is a fact, sir; unless we 
leave Japan immediately, we shall lose our daugh- 
ter.” 

‘‘What! has any of these upstart Englishmen 
begun to supplant us in her affections? I am 
sure I have not seen any attentions that should 
give us serious alarm.” 

“No, sir; worse than that; far worse than 
that. Cleora wants to be a miserable missionary 
to these miserable heathen. Why, it is perfectly 
absurd, and ungrateful to us ; and who would 
have thought it in our daughter? But it is a 
fact that she is getting the low-lived sentimental 
craze, and we must take passage on the next 
steamship.” 

“It will be difficult for me to arrange my 
business to leave immediately, but this calamity 
must be avoided at every cost. The daughter 
of the Lyddells becoming a missionary ! -all Bos- 
ton society would be inquiring if there is any 
hereditary insanity in our family.” 


THE LYDDELLS IN JAPAN. 


79 


Tlie return was by way of Shangliai, Hong 
Kong, Singapore, Point de Galle and Suez. 

From Brindisi they took a run across to Athens, 
and then hastily visited in succession Rome, Flor- 
ence, Venice, Munich and Switzerland. They lin- 
gered for nearly three months in Paris. Cleora 
could not understand the reason, when her parents 
had been all along thus •far in such a desperate 
hurry from Yokohama to this gay, fashionable 
metropolis. They kept their secret well, deter- 
mined to divert her mind from the missionary 
cause. They retained for every night, one of the 
highest-priced boxes at the Grand Opera House. 
Every |)leasant afternoon they drove out upon 
the Avenue and Bois de Boulogne. One of the 
most celebrated musicians of Paris was en^ao’ed 

O ID 

as Cleora’s instructor. They encouraged no end 
of shopping, and of visiting the art galleries, and 
of social entertainments. Before leaving for Lon- 
don, Liverpool and New York, they paid all their 
society debts by one of the most brilliant enter- 
tainments ever furnished at the Grand Hotel, 
which was their home in the city. They insisted 
upon music for dancing, and a liberal supply of 
wine, despite Cleora’s wishes. Paris was not Bos- 
ton, and her Puritan ideas were now impr.'ctica- 
ble, they assured her. And thus ujdou the ' field 
of a young opening life these worldly parents fought 
the Spirit of God. 


CHAPTER VII. 


SHADOWS OF^SPECULATION. 

I T was a Monday morning. Rev. Doctor Arm- 
strong, the talented and successful pastor of 
the Michigan Avenue Calvary Churcli, Chicago, 
was trying to decide whether he could rest him- 
self better, after the exhausting labors of Sunday, 
by staying at home, or by going to the minis- 
ters’ meeting, wlien the following letter was 
brought by the postman : 

My dear Pastor: — Stocks, in which I have been dealing 
heavily of late, are looking up. I have not the slightest 
doubt that in another week there will be a regular boom in 
New York Central and Lake Shore. We have the squeeze at 
last on Commodore Whaterstoke, and he must pass back some 
of his millions. I am confidentially telling my best friends 
that now is their chance for ceidain wealth. And if you can 
intrust ten thousand dollars with me by to-morrow, I will make 
it one hundred thousand dollars for you in a fortnight. 

Your grateful parishioner, 

B. B. Kilburxe, 

It was a great temptation. From no other one 
would a proposition of that kind have had sucli 
weight with Doctor Arinstrongo The minister’s 
savings had been largely because of several five 

80 


SHADOWS OF SPECULATIOH, 


81 


hundred dollar checks as New Year presents from 
this generous parisliioner. More than half of all 
he had in the bank came in this way, and thus 
far Mr. Kilburne was suggesting investment for 
mone}^ wliich was once his own. 

Mrs. Armstro]]g did not favor tlie plan at all. 
She was not able to give many satisfactory reasons, 
at least in her linsband’s judgment, for declining 
to mil any speculative risks ; but she was very 
emphatic in protesting against their turning aside 
from the singleness of service, the economy, 
prudence, and thorough business integrity which 
hitherto in their lives together God had abundantly 
blessed. 

But there were several from whom the Doctor 
knew he could borrow enough, on thirty or sixty 
days, to make up his bank account to the ten 
thousand dollars requested by Mr. Kilburne. And 
then, to have no more anxiety about support in 
old age, no more fear of what would become of 
his wife and children if he should he taken away, 
no more inability to respond generously to the 
various calls for benevolence : what a temptation 
indeed ! 

“ My dear husband, what has been the matter 
with you to-day ?■’ inquired Mrs. Armstrong at 
the close of the follov/ing Sunday services. “ You 
hiave not seemed yourself either this morning or 
this evening in preaching. Perhaps the people 
did not notice it, but you appeared to me several 
times to lose your thread of thought, and to be 


82 


SELF-GIVING. 


covering your confusion under a sliower of loud- 
sounding words. And I never heard you offer 
sucli cold, formal, public prayers. There was no 
feeling, no unction in them at all.” 

And then as her heart smote lier because she 
had ventured to be so severely critical, and tliat of 
all times in the week when he was the most 
exhausted and sensitive, she quickly drew her 
chair to his side, took hold of his hand, and 
leaned her whitening head upon his shoulder. 

Never is matrimonial love more beautiful than 
when it has become fully ripe. Silver and golden 
weddings have more of attraction than the first. 
Snow-white locks are the most adorning ; and as 
landscapes of hills and vallej^s are more delightful 
than the smoothly undulating prairies, so are 
the broken features of the after-vears the more 

K.' 

truly beautiful, inspiring and satisfying. 

Doctor Armstrong did not answer her ; but 
presently a great tear dropped from his face upon 
her hand. 

Instantly she was kissing away the other tears, 
and begging him to forgive her for makii'g him 
feel so sadly when he was so veiy tired. 

It is no fault in^ you, dear , I must tell you 
all. I borrowed, and drew our bank funds ; and 
3^esterday there Avere some fluctuations in tlie 
stock market; and — and INlr. Kilburne sent me 
word that I must double my margin, but that it 
would be all right. We must mortgage this house, 
or lose those ten thousand dollars. Indeed, if 


SHADOWS OF SPECULATION, 


83 


not now to possibly save all and gain much, we 
shall have to do it in a few weeks to pay my 
thirty and sixty days’ notes.” 

Two anxious business meetings were held the 
following evening, the one of the Calvary Church 
trustees in the parlor of the president of the 
Jackson National Bank of Chicago, and the other 
in the committee room of the Illinois University 
at Springfield. The church had lately built an 
expensive sanctuary, and upon it there rested a 
one hundred thousand dollar debt, which ]\Ir. Kil- 
burne had been carrying. On the other hand, 
half of the assets of the University were promissory 
notes for a quarter of a million of dollars, which 
Mr. Kilburne had given five years previously, due 
along from six to ten years, interest payable 
semi-annuall3^ 

Of coure, it is out of the question,” said the 
president of the church meeting, “ for us now to 
vote those two thousand dollars we had intended 
for liome and foreign missions.” 

“Well,” declared another, “we may put off the 
inevitable a year or two ; but in the end the 
mortgage must be foreclosed upon us, and perhaps 
the Roman Catholics will think that our grand 
architectural flourish will make a good cathedral.” 
The Springfield meeting was equally gloom}". 
The president of the institution had sent in his 
peremptory resignation, as he saw no possible way 
out of the embarrassment. The question of addi- 
tional professors in the departments of chemistry 


84 


SELF-GIVING. 




and of the modern languages was taken from the 
table and indefinitely postponed. ]\ lotion was 
passed to notify one half the beneficiaries that 
they could no longer receive assistance from the 
college funds. The library committee was directed 
to purchase no more books, and the treasurer 
was requested to consult a lawyer as to the 
validity of the mortgage that was crushing the 
University. 

Mr. Kilburne did all he could to save to his 
pastor his home ; but in vain. 

“ This is the hardest ptirt of my failure,” he 
said to Dr. Armstrong, as he called the evening 
before retreating witli his famil}^ to his wife’s 
little farm. “If only I had not drawn you into 
this terrible maelstrom of speculation ! ” 

“ Is Margaret going with you to the farm ? ” 

“ Yes, the brave girl ; bravest of us all. She 
keeps up her spirits wonderfully : said yesterday 
she had applied for position as teacher to fill the 
first vacancy in one of the ward schools. She 
would rather stay with us on the farm, but feels 
that a little money must be coming in soon.” 

“ How about those five thousand dollars vou 

«/ 

subscribed last year at my request, for a prize 
fund in the Manhattan Theological Seminary at 
New York?” 

“Thank God, I paid that before the crash! I 
wish I luid done so witli our church debt, and 
the Springfield endowment.” 

It was a great come-down from the Michigan 


SHADOJVS OF SPECULATIOlSr, 


85 


Avenue palace to the humble farmhouse. He who 
liad often lifted and depressed the Chicago stock- 
market at will, and sometimes had shaken Wall 
Street as by an earthquake, now was compelled to 
take hold of all the hard, and plodding work of 
barn and field. At first he could not afford any 
lielp, and when Margaret returned to the city to 
commence school-teaching, Mrs. Kilburne was left 
alone with the housework. 

This severe manual labor was a godsend to 
them both. They found that one of the greatest 
possible blessings in this life was close upon their 
greatest trial. Health, which is indeed better than 
wealth, they had been losing of late years to a 
very alarming extent. Mr. Kilburne had grown 
very lieavy. Heart disease had often indicated 
its presence, and their family physician had 
warned him of the danger of apoplexy. At the 
same time Mrs. Kilburne appeared more and more 
delicate. Frequently her coughing and unnatural 
paleness suggested the danger . of consumption. 
Ibit the farm exercise soon changed these appear- 
ances. What all the physicians of Chicago could 
not have done, the barn did for Mr. Kilburne, and 
the kitchen for his wife. 

Margaret was very fortunate in securing a thou- 
sand dollar position as ‘ first teacher under the 
principal of the Illinois Avenue Grammar School. 
Her associates among the instructors were very 
agreeable, and her fidelity and tact with the pupils 
made her relations to them pleasant. 


80 


SELF-GIVING, 


But she had one specially heavy load of disap- 
pointment to carry. The thought of giving her- 
self as a missionary to the heathen liad been • 
growing very rapidly since her grandmother’s death. 
Yet now she could not leave the country, for 
none of the single women missionaries, who were 
beginning to be sent, had much over half the 
salary she was receiving, and she had been told 
that it was utterly impossible for her parents to 
make a living upon the little farm. Providence 
had evidently shut the door of opportunity in her 
face, and bolted it very strongly. 

The life of Mrs. Ann H. Judsoii filled her with 
an enthusiasm which nothing but the seeming 
home obligation to her parents could resist. She 
subscribed for several of the missionary periodicals, 
preferring them to any other literature, and denied 
herself in many Avays to meet the little expense. 

‘‘Young men,” said she to her Sunday-school 
class of boys, “I have a more ambitious desire 
for you all, than that you should become Mayors 
of Chicago, or Governors of Illinois, or Members of 
Congress, or even Presidents of the United States. 

I would havm you so filled with the spirit of 
the Matchless One, as to go forth as he did far 
from home to save a lost world. To be a mis- 
sionary to-day to the thousand millions of our 
fellow creatures who know nothing of Christ, is 
an honor outshining any that in this life can be 
given or taken away.” 

A letter she received at this time from Cleora 


SHADOWS OF SPECULATION, 


87 


Lycldell, written the day after tlie visit to Asa- 
kiisa ill Tokio, helped to fan the flame of Marga- 
ret’s desire sometime to be a missionary to the 
heathen. She replied to her friend, tliough the 
letter, forwarded from Japan, did not reach the 
Lyddells until they were in Paris, declarijgi^' 
‘‘ All aspirations of my life, beyond the discharge 
of obligations to my parents, are centring in the 
thought of ‘ woman’s work for woman ’ and for 
the children in heathen lands. I pray daily that 
the obstacle in my way may be removed, and I 
am becoming more and more careful of my health, 
for I may yet be the Lord’s chosen vessel to 
carry the water of life to those who are thirsty 
and dying by the tens of thousands daily in Asia 
and otlier desert lands.” 

Meanwhile Margaret was not satisfied with 
simply waiting upon her longed-for opportunity 
which might never come. She was very studious, 
to be the better qualified for the work when it 
should be assigned her. Her experience in mission 
Sunday-schools taught her that to instruct the 
ignorant and degraded in the truths of Christianity 
requires more intellectual power, and resource, and 
wisdom, than to lead the conversations of fash- 
ionable life, or even to hold one’s own in the 
most cultured societ3^ 

Several evenings each week were devoted to 
composition. She was encouraged to believe that 
she had a special gift at word-painting. After 
having written a great many sketches in descrip- 


88 


8ELF-GIVING. 


tion of common daily life, she ventured to send 
one of them to the Chicago Globe. There was no 
reply, and slie tried again. Still no insertion ; 
no acknowledgment , much less any mone3^ She 
resolved to go with her third contribution, and 
talk with the editor about it. 

He received her very politely in his sanctum, 
begging her to wait a moment until he finished 
a few lines of copy. 

Meanwhile her e}^es caught sight of an enormous 
waste-basket at the side of tlie editor’s table, and 
of one of her articles — she knew it hy the rib- 
bon with which slie had tied the paper — so 
provokingly rumpled together, and peeping at 
her through the open wicker-work. 

A moment after a clerk brought from the counting- 
room a whole armful of manuscripts, reporting, as he 
dropped them on tlie table : 

Twenty-three poems and forty-seven prose con- 
tributions this morning.” 

“ An unusually small number. Perhaps I will 
have time to glance them over,” observed the editor 
to his lady caller as he turned toward her, adding, 
“And what, please, can I do for you to-day?” 

With a little hesitation, and a world of suppressed 
embarrassment, she replied : 

“ I am a teacher at the Illinois Avenue Gram- 
mar School, and am veiy much interested in public 
exercises which are to take place there next 
Friday ; and if you will be so good as to make 
a local of it, and have a reporter”-— 


SHADOWS OF SPECULATION. 


89 


“ O, certainly, certainly, madam ; that is as to 
the notice ; but whether we can spare a reporter 
from the police courts, and from the regular 
criminal court, which opens next Monday, I cannot 
promise. Is there any more I can do for you ? ” 
‘‘No, sir: I thank you. Good-day!” 

“ Good-day ! ” 


CHAPTER VIII. 


CHINA AND THE MISSIONARY’S CALL. 

L lewellyn litchfield, as private secre- 
tary to tlie United States Aiinister at Peking, 
liad many special advantages above the ordinary 
tourist or the merchant, in becoming acquainted 
witli the capital of the Flowery Kingdom. He 
could always travel in the Legation cart, in true 
mandarin style, with driver and outrider both 
wearing the official button, and tliis gave protec- 
tion which was still important, notwithstanding 
the treaty of Tientsin and the recent convention 
of Peking. Often he could accompany the min- 
ister in his formal calls upon Prince Kung and 
the heads of departments, and always he was 
present, when these rulers of the Celestial Empire 
made their stately ceremonial visits to the Lega- 
tion. He found ready access to the temples, to 
the English and Russian palaces, and to the ruins 
of Won-sho-shan and of Yu-en-ming-yu-en. 

There were two exceptions to the rule ; two 
places where even ambassadorial dignity could not 
gain him any access. The first was the imperial 
or forbidden city, a vast, wall-enclosed quadrangle 

90 


CHINA AND THE MISSIONARY'S CALL. 


91 


in the centre of tlie northern or Tartar portion 
of the city; the other inaccessible “lion” of the 
capital was the southeastern quarter of the Chinese 
portion, a five liundred-acre area, surrounded by 
double walls, and containing the Altar to Heaven 
with its accompanying temples and ceremonial 
buildings. It was utterly out of the question for 
Llewellyn to break through the barriers which 
Chinese, or rather Manchu custom, had thrown 
around the home or prison of the Emperor. 
Even when the triumphant foreign powers insisted 
in 1860 upon audience with his august Majestjq 
there was probably only a nominal compliance. 
As the wily Japanese palmed off the Shogun for 
the Mikado upon Commodore Perry, so it is 
more than possible that a false show of Emperor 
was made upon that stately occasion when in 
the park outside the forbidden city, the English 
and Erench generals and diplomats thought they 
were looking upon the sovereign of four hundred 
millions of people. 

But at the Altar to Heaven there was oppor- 
tuiiity for Llewellyn. The grounds were in charge 
of the priests, and a corrupt priesthood is always 
more easily bribed than tlie secular officials of 
the most wretched civil service. He could have 
gone directly in the first day that he made 
application, had he been willing to pay the eight- 
tael, or ten-dollar bribe demanded. But the 
responsibility of the support of mother, sisters and 
brothers still rested so heavily upon him that he 


92 


SELF- GIVING. 


could not throw away mone}^ WJieii subsequently 
ill the shadows of the evening he scaled the 
walls, wandered alone over the whole area, and 
inspected the great altar of imperial worship, he 
little thought it was an event that was to con- 
tribute materially to the shaping of his whole 
future course in life. 

In the Chinese Foreign Office was a mandarin 
who could speak English well, and with whom 
Llewellyn became familiarly acquainted. 

What do you think of the missionaries ? ” 
inquired the latter one day, fully expecting a con- 
firmation of his own prejudices. 

“ Tliey are the only foreigners ” — the Chinaman 
replied ; — ‘‘ the only foreigners who are doing any 
real good to my fellow-countiymen.” 

‘‘ Indeed, Shung Ling, both parts of your state- 
ment surprise me.” 

‘‘ We are generally accounted by Christians so 
stupid as not to distinguish between the self- 
denying, philanthropic efforts of the missionaries, 
and the mercenary, hypocritical and domineering 
conduct of all others who have forced themselves 
upon China.” 

“ I suppose,” interrupted Llewellyn, that }^ou 
refer chiefly to those who forced the opium 
traffic upon your countrv. But there are two 
sides even to this question.” 

‘‘ Perhaps,” replied Shung Ling, wdth a most 
contemptuous expression upon his usually placid 
face, ‘‘you Christians have a very convenient 


CHINA AND THE MISSIONARY'S CALL. 


93 


moral code. You always adjust it to suit your 
actions. The great Confucius taught us better. 
Judged by his standards, there could be nothing 
more wicked than this persistent opium crime 
against China. And the same spirit seems to 
actuate all otlier financial and diplomatic dealings 
of foreigners witli us.’' 

‘‘ You make an exception of missionaries.” 

“• Decidedly ; that is, of those especially who 
have nothing to do with the Roman Pope ; and this 
again is a distinction you think we are too stupid 
to make.” 

‘‘But, to change the subject, Slmng Ling, as I 
liave some business at the Legation to which I 
must liasten, it is the height of my ambition in 
China to have sometime a few minutes’ visit with 
Prince Kung, and His Excellenc}^, Li-Hung-Chang. 
1 cannot claim any audience as a mere private 
secretary to an ambassador, and during the 
formal calls at the Legation, it is not proper for 
me to say a word.” 

“ They are here frequently, and are both very 
unceremonious at times. I will see what I can 
do for you.” 

Several months passed before the opportunity 
arrived. Meanwhile Llewellyn spent two * hours 
every day with his Chinese teacher, pressing on 
in the study of the mandarin. As he sought only 
to be able to converse socially in official circles, 
his task was very much easier than that of the 
missionary, and when finally Shung Ling sent 


94 


SELF‘GIVING, 


him word to liiiny over to the Foreign Office, 
lie felt quite able to hold his own, without any 
interpreter, in conversation with the Prince and 
the Viceroy. 

Ah, then, you are from America,” said Prince 
Kung to Llewellyn, after a studiously casual in- 
troduction ; ‘‘ and there is where you Christians 
are killing eacli other by the wholesale.” 

“Our government is engaged in the overthrow 
of a gigantic rebellion. Your Excellency.” 

“That is right,” added Li-Hung-Cliang, who 
had been the leader of the Chinese forces in the 
overthrow of the Taipin’g rebellion. “ And after 
the war is through, I wish you would whip Eng- 
land again — the Christian opium-cursing nation.” 
“Christianity,” observed Llewellyn, “is not re- 
sponsible either for the slaveholder’s rebellion, or 
for the terrible opium curse.” 

“ O, that is your missionary philosophy,” re- 
plied tlie Prince, “ fallacy and imposition! I wish 
all you diplomatists would go back to your own 
countries, and take your opium, and your mis- 


sionaries. 


9? 


“ I should agree to tliat,” added the Viceroy, 
“ only I would like to have them leave behind 
their machinists, whom we are employing in the 
Shanghai, Fuchow and Pei ho arsenals. The fact 
is, the only respect in which Christian foreigners 
excel us, is in the use of iron and steam.” 

That gives them advantages,'’ said the Prince, 
“ in commerce and war ^ but I would not ex- 


CHINA AND THE MISSIONARY^ S CALL. 


05 


change with tliem our superior morality and phil- 
osophy and religion.” 

“ That is my conclusion after careful investiga- 
tion,” added Li-Hung-Chang, as he arose to indi- 
cate to the young American that this casual inter- 
view could not be prolonged; “I have seen their 
holy book and been quite charmed with it. I 

have talked with a few of their missionaries, and 
if I had never met any foreigners but them, I 
too mio'lit be a Christian. But never now in 

o 

view of tlie foreign Christian greed, and hypoc- 
risy, and opium outrage.” 

From this interview it began to dawn upon 
Llewell3ni’s mind, that if China is ever to be 
Christianized, it must be chiefly through tlie evan- 
gelizing enterprise of the missionaries, and of tliose 
native agencies which are the product of tlieir 
labors. After these commendations of the mission- 
aries, he felt half ashamed of his own prejudices, 
and resolved that he would know more about 
them himself. If possible, he would make no 

excuse to the next invitation to any mission home 
or school or chapel. He did not dream that 

before anotlier week lie would be compelled to 
anticipate an invitation, and to go to the mis- 
sionaries for advice and help in a great perplex- 
ity. 

‘‘There is no other wav,” said the American 
Minister, “than your summary dismissal. Nothing 
less will satisfy the enraged Chinese officials. 
They say it has become generally known at 


96 


SELF-GIVING. 


court, that an attache of ^ this Legation has forced 
liis way into the sacred eiicdosure of the Altar 
to Heaven. In tlie presence of their fiiiy, it 
will not do for me to seem in the slightest 
degree to countenance your act.” 

Many liave bribed the priest, or scaled the 
walls as I did,” replied Llewellyn. “Very rarely 
does a foreigner fail to secure access in some way.” 
“ That is true,” continued the ^Minister , “ and 
when I visited Peking, while Consul-General at 
Shangliai, I stole a march on the priests, and 
clambered over as you did. But it has liappened 
that the trouble has arisen over your act , and 
if I do not dismiss you to-day, I am afraid tlie 
Court will send orders for the withdrawal of its 
embassy at Washington.” 

What sliould he do ? Tliere were no liotels, or 
foreign boardinsf-houses. He could not start off 
at once for America, or even for Hong-Kong or 
Shanghai, for he had drawn all his salary the 
day before, and forwarded half of it to his 
mother, and the other half to his savings-bank 
account in New York City. He liad hardly 
pocket-money enough left to hire a donkey to 
Tung-cho, and a boat thence to Tientsin. 

There was no other way but to go to the mis- 
sionaries. Ah ! many a young man, far away from 
Ids native land, has been saved from ruinous tempta- 
tions and from blank despair, by the hospitable 
homes and loving hearts and wise counsels of Cliris- 
tian missionaries. If for no other purpose than 


CHINA AND THE MISSIONABY^S CALL. 


97 


as beacoii-liglits along tlie shores of other continents, 
to save from si lip wreck our own world-wide travelling 
young men, Christian missions are wortli all they cost. 

Rev. Dr. Bower, of the American Board, greeted 
Llewellyn as if he had been his own son. There 
was no apparent remembrance of tlie many times 
the young Legation attache had failed to accept 
invitations to the mission premises. 

“ You must certainly make your home with us 
until we see some waj’ out of this perplexity,” 
said the faithful Congregational laborer. “ And if, 
meanwhile, you can study our work, and learn to 
appreciate it, I shall feel that tliis has been a very 
providential embarrassment to you.” 

Tlie next day Llewellyn spent two hours with 
his host ill the native clnipel. The faithful preach- 
ing of the Word to adult heathen favorably im- 
pressed him. He saw that the missionary’s task 
was no easy one; no simple repetition of the story 
of Jesus to child-like hearers. Questions, many 
of them very hard ones, were frequently pro- 
posed to the missionary by the members of the 
constantly changing congregation. There was no 
hesitancy to interrupt him with inquiries about 
opium, and foreign dress, and the comparative 
merits of Christian ethics and those of Confucius, 
Fo (Buddha), and Laou-tsze. To Llewellyn much 
that was said was unintelligible, but he saw the 
missionary was doing hard, honest work, and that 
many of his hearers were receiving impressions 
thoughtfully and conscientiously. 


98 


SELF-GIVING. 


Llewellyn’s room was not as sumptuous as liis 
old one at the Legation, nor was the table as 
bountifully supplied as tliat to which he had been 
accustomed. He saw daily evidences that it required 
very close economy, and a great deal of household 
tact, to make salary cover expenses. Part of the 
building lie found to be occupied for school pur- 
poses. The daily conversations and prayers opened 
up an entirely new world of interests and respon- 
sibilities. A little information scattered all his 
prejudices as chaff before the wind. 

One day they went over to the London mission 
to call upon Rev. Dr. Maundrell. 

‘‘ I have procured a situation for you, ]\Ir. 
Litchfield,” was the pleasant greeting. ‘‘ It is only 
for three or four months, but you will be able to 
turn yourself, and to decide the question of 
remaining in China, or of returning to America. 

‘‘ It is hardly worth while for you to tell me 
about the situation,” replied Llewellyn, his heart 
bounding with gratitude , for I am inexpress- 
ibly anxious to do anything, especially what may 
be recommended to me by such kind and thought- 
ful friends as you two missionaries.” 

IRit all was explained^ and in a few days Llew- 
ellyn was off upon a commission of the Dutch 
Minister, to gather from all the treat}^ ports of 
China certain statistics, which the government of 
the Netherlands desired in the interest of Japan- 
ese trade and immigration. This business required 
his presence a few days each in Tien-tsin, Chefoo, 


CHINA AND THE MISSIONABY^S CALL. 


99 


NeW'diwang, Slianghai, Chiii-Kiang, Kiu-Kiang, Han- 
Kow, Niiigpo, Fu-chow, Amoy, Swatow, Taiwan, 
Takao, Canton, and Hong-Kong. 

We cannot follow him upon tliis extensive tour 
of China, full of interest and of information. In 
a land of such rigid conservatism, where changes 
are so ^slow to take place, although Llewellyn’s 
opportunity was almost a score of years ago, he 
saw nearly everything as recorded by the author 
of these pages in his late volume, entitled Around 
the World Tour of Christian Missions. Only this 
especially, evangelizing enterprise was far from 
being as advanced as at present. Beginnings 
merely were being made, foundations for the grand 
structure that is now appearing before the eyes 
of all who are willing to see. 

W1 lerever there were .missionaries, it proved no 
loss of time for Llewellyn to call upon them. 
He found them better informed in reo'ard to the 

O 

facts he was seeking than any of the foreign offi- 
cials or merchants. He saw that several of them 
were making valuable contributions to different 
sciences, and yet evidently all such work was very 
incidental to the absorbing passion of their lives, 
to convey the saving knowledge of Christ to the 
teeming millions of China. 

Llewellyn’s lieart was more and more enlisted 
in tlie cause of Christian missions. The need of 
Christ in the heatlien world continuallv strenetli- 
ened as a conviction, while he visited the different 
parts of this vast empire. His admiration for the 


TOO 


SELF-GIVING, 


missionaries was constantly on the increase as ho 
studied the spirit of their service, the exemplary 
character of their lives, the thoroughness of their 
consecration, and tlie painful, 2)lodding self-sacrifice 
with which thej^ were prosecuting their holy enter- 
prise. 

Why not I ? ” came to him again and again, 
as if it were a whis2)er from the spirit world. 
‘‘ Wliy not I ? There is no greater need for Chris- 
tian work than in heathen lands. I have come 
to appreciate it and to love it, and the plans of 
my life are all unsettled. Why not I become a 
missionary ? Perhaps I might, and continue to 
support mother and her family.” 

At Hong-Kong he received the unexpected news 
of his mother’s second marriage, and into a home 
that solved entirely tlie question of support for 
herself and her dependent children. 

‘‘ Why not I give myself to this great cause of 
world evangelization ? ” came back now wdth 
double force to Llewellyn. It followed him by 
day and by night, giving him no peace, until he 
yielded obedience to God's Spirit, who had been 
instructing his mind and warming his heart, and 
leading him by wonderful providences. 

The next mail for America carried a letter from 
Llewellvn to the President of the Maidiattan Theo- 


logical Seminary in New York, relating his conversion 
to the cause of Christian missions, and his desire to 
qualify to enter upon such work for life. “ I 
am coming by the next steamer,” he added ; ‘‘ and 


CHINA AND THE MISSIONAHY^ S CALL. 


101 


shall delay neither in Japan nor California. I 
have no encumbrance, and have sufficient money 
saved to carry me with rigid economy throug]i a 
three-years course. May God bring us together 
and enable you to counsel me aright.” 


CHAPTER IX. 


A BATTLE WITH UNBELIEF. 

M ARGARHT KILBURNE became very much 
interested in the preaching of Professor 
Parker. His polished language and manner, the 
depth and breadth of his philanthropic sentiments, 
and bis heroism in loyalty to his own convictions, 
which had already begun to arrest the attention 
of multitudes in Chicago, completel}" charmed her. 
Though a long distance to go every Sunday, the 
attraction was so great that her attendance was 
quite 'regular. Doubtless she received much good; 
restings of her wearied spirit, incitement to onward 
struggling, clearer appreciations of the character 
and life of Christ. But at some points there was 
an abandonment of the old orthodox faith. Miss 
Kilburne would have combated the unscriptural 
vagaries, had they been presented in any other 
form. But while her attention was off guard, and 
she was dazzled by the liglit of human genius, 
scepticism stole in and swelled in volume until it 
became a devastating flood. 

At this very time, when an experience of bril- 
liant religious sentiments was taking the place of 

102 


A BATTLE WITH UNBELIEF. 


103 


a genuine abiding of the heart in the power of 
the Son of God, the young schoolteacher was 
passing under many clouds. Not at once did she 
fully realize the great change which had taken 
place in her social position. She had accepted 
the situation of the loss of property, but was 
not prepared for such a rebuff as she received 
upon the boulevard one Saturday afternoon from 
the wealthy Mrs. Norcross, for whom only one 
year before Margaret acted as bridesmaid. 

“ O, Belle, I am glad to see you ! ” exclaimed 
Margaret to her old friend, who had just aliglited 
from her beautiful carriage in front of a splendid 
mansion. 

Indeed ! ah — Miss — Kilburne, I believe.? 

“ Have I changed so much in one short year 
that old friends can hardly recognize me ? ’’ 
inquired Margaret, with mingled feelings of sur- 
prise, indignation and sadness. 

‘‘ O, no ; the change has not been so much in 
yourself as in — in — Patrick,” she exclaimed to 
her coachman in her confusion, ‘‘ you may drive 
around the square ; I will be out in a few minutes.” 
“ Then our old friendship, Mrs. Norcross, was 
but the creature of circumstances ; it was the 
meeting-place of our parents’ money, instead, of 
our two hearts : can it be there was such a 
burlesque ? ” 

Society has its laws, and they are inflexible. 
I think I have heard you are earning your liv- 
ing by teaching in one of the common schools.” 


104 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ But it is the same Maggie who has often 
driven on these boulevards with }'OU, and dined 
with you at your fatlier’s and my father’s homes, 
and with you read many a book and arranged 
many a party.” 

“ Is there any way I can help you, Miss Kil- 
burne ? My husband is very benevolent.” 

In no way, madam, but to hear me one 
moment longer, while I relieve my wounded and 
indignant heart. You have money still, but you 
are in wretched poverty of soul. I would not 
exchange the wealth of my affections for a thou- 
sand times all the property you expect to inherit. 
Changes have come, and you are no longer my 
friend. But there is an unchangeable friend. One 
who loves to the end.” 

Margaret’s last words were not heard by the 
haughty aristocrat, who had already turned and 
slammed the iron gate behind her. 

“ Ah me ! Am I becoming a hypocrite ? ” solilo- 
quized Margaret a few moments afterward, as 
she checked her rapid gait and sauntered along 
toward her humble boarding-house. “ Mj" religious 
words were wiiat they should be, but I do not 
half believe them. God also has changed to me, 
and the heavens over my head are brass. I do 
not doubt that Christ’s teachings are the way of 
life; but the doctrine of providence — providence 
— I think the materialists are half right.” 

It added much to the embarrassment of her 
situation to be the object of the gentleman prin- 


A BATTLE WITH UNBELIEF, 


105 


cipal’s special regard. She could scarcely explain 
the reason, and yet she knew she never could be 
more to liini than a friendly associate. The 
tliought of remaining single, that she might some- 
time go as a missionary to the heathen, was not 
now a controlling consideration. It was oidy that 
she was sure that while she respected him as 
a gentleman, and admired him for his talents, 
and was grateful for his assistance in many 
Avays, she could not love liim. She told him so 
very decidedly. Nevertheless he persisted in liis 
attentions during all the many months of their 
association as teacliers, and this contributed to 
Margaret’s misery as she was now too much of. 
a woman to find aii}^ enjoyment in flirtation. 

Perseverance in newspaper correspondence began 
to meet with some reward. Frequently her con- 
tributions were accepted and generous payments 
made. To write a book was now her ambition, 
and, after burning the midnight oil continuously 
for several months over her story of sunshine and 
shadow, selfishness and love, she was ‘able to carry 
her completed manuscript to one of the Chicago 
publishers. 

I am very sorr}q Miss Kilburne,’^ said the 
gentlemanly publisher, ‘‘ but we cannot undertake 
any more books at present. Perhaps the firm 
across the street may not be so crowded.” 

She tried there also, but received the reply : 
‘‘We noticed your coming with your manuscript 
♦ from the opposite house, and we make it a point 


106 


SELF-GIVING, 


never to accept what has been rejected by other 
publishers.” 

A member of the third publishing house on 
wlioin Margaret called consented to receive her 
manuscript for examination, but two weeks later 
at the time of his promised answer returned it, 
saying : 

‘‘We cannot publish your work unless you will 
reduce it one third, and re-write the closing 
chapters, and choose a different name, and pay 
the expense of the plates, — ” 

“ How much would that be ? ” inquired the far 
from happy authoress. 

“ Perhaps six hundred dollars ; but then we 
would give you a royalty after the first thousand 
are sold.” 

“ How much would be the royalty ? ” 

“ Ten cents on every book.” 

“You might as well ask me, sir, to lift a moun- 
tain, as to raise six hundred dollars ; and then, 
too, for the author to receive nothing for the first 
thousand books sold, if at all, and only ten cents 
per copy after that, seems to me perfectly absurd.” 

It was very discouraging, but Margaret was wise 
enough to use the criticisms which had been 
made, and upon renewed application at the place 
where she last called, the publishers consented to 
accept her work, to meet themselves the cost of 
plates, and to give her a royalty of fifteen per 
cent on all sales. 

Various judgments upon her new book were 


A BATTLE WITH UNBELIEF. 


107 


rendered by the press. The Chicago Glohe con- 
gratulated the author. The New York Journal saw 
no reason for putting such schoolgirl compositions 
into book form. The Boston Times thought the 
plot interesting and the style remarkably brilliant 
and polished. The Philadelphia Tribune said the 
story was very insipid, the style commonplace, 
and that tlie reading public could never be enter- 
tained by such trash. 

The most noteworthy result of all this literary 
experience was the introduction of Miss Kilburne 
ii]to the social circle of men and women of letters. 
The majority of them she found to be ' very 
worldly, and far more sceptically inclined than 
herself. Their reading-circles and society-meetings 
and club-entertainments became so exacting upon 
her time, that she first gave up the Wednesday 
evening religious service, and then resigned her 
Sunday-school class. 

Often would come back to her the memorv of 

1/ 

former days, when she enjoyed a simple child-like 
trust in God, when prayer for daily guidance and 
protection seemed delightfully real, and when it 
was so easy to believe that all things were work- 
ing together for her good. She had not surren- 
dered such confidences without many fierce conflicts 
of spirit. But her new religious and literary 
associations, powerfully influencing her at a time 
when she was being called to pass through some 
of the most trying of all possible experiences in 
this life, added to the facts that her early Chris- 


108 


SELF-GIVING. 


tian character had been cultivated in a garden of 
luxury and that she had never liad any true 
religious nourishment from father or mother, 
secured within her heart the final victory for 
unbelief. 

She wrote frankly to her friend, Cleora Lyddell, 
at this time : “ My old eveiy-da}" piety is almost 

entirely crushed out of me. I still believe tliat 
the only way to heaven is through Christ ; that 
is, for us, though I am not so certain as formerly 
of the necessity of sending tlie Gospel to the 
heathen. I have not had a special pra}"er answered 
the last year. Nothing lias come to hand but can 
easily be traced to the unthinking, unfeeling, 
inevitable laws of cause and effect. I liave tried 
and tried to adjust our old tlieory of providence 
to the stern, ugly facts of my present life ; but 
have failed, and give it up. Do not tantalize me, 
please, in any reply, by indulging in religious 
poeti‘3^ This life is prose, not poetry; and prov- 
idence and mythology should be laid aside together.” 

On the return to her boarding-house room, or 
prison-cell as she called it, after dropping this 
letter into the street post-box, her attention was 
arrested by a little company of men and women 
around the steps of an old tumble-down dwelling 
on a side alley, listening to tlie earnest words of 
a young man, who seemed to be holding a Bible 
in his hands. It was Mr. D. L. Moody in the 
beginnings of his work, which has since become 
famous throughout Christendom. Margaret moved 


A BATTLE WITH UNBELIEF. 


109 


up a few rods toward the strange scene to lis- 
ten. 

“ I tell you, friends,” said Mr. Moody, “ when 
God says lie will never leave nor forsake his 
children, he means it. Have you abandoned your 
bo}^ father, when you are out of his sight awhile, 
working at the shop for his food and clothing? 
Mother, your baby is very lonesome and often 
cries for you, when you are off washing, but it 
is the only way to keep a roof over your heads, 
and food in your mouths, and clothing on your 
bodies, and do you really for a moment ever for- 
sake your child? We can no more look up and 
understand God, than our babes in their cradles can 
understand us. But he tells us that he loves us. 
Do you doubt it ? Look at his own Son dying 
on the cross for you and me. God says to his 
children, ‘All things shall work together for their 
good.’ Do you doubt it? Look again at the 

cross on Calvary. Can such love fail to fulfil 
such promise? Can such a heart hold itself aloof 
from our daily trials and perplexities? Oh, think 
of it ! Can the Father of Jesus Christ be the 
god of our unbelief?” 

Maro^aret had not thought of flankinof her 

O O o 

unbelief in any such way as that. She had always 
tried to meet the enemy directly in front, and 
therefore frequently had failed. She had not learned 
that in spiritual warfare there was need of strategy 
as well as of heroism. 

Not long after, Margaret was taken seriously 


no 


SELF-GIVING. 


ill. Her extra literaiy work, the iinreleiitiDg trials 
of her life, and particularly the painful disquietude 
of lier religious nature whicli had turned awav 
from a living, restful, daily faith in God, made 
her ready upon the occasion of a slight cold for 
long anxious weeks of typhoid fever. For some 
days it was very uncertain whether she could 
live. 

“ Do 3^011 wish any minister to come and see 
3^ou?” inquired the anxious mother. 

‘‘ No — 3"es.” 

“Shall I send for Professor Parker ?” 

“I want something more than literary satisfac- 
tion now.” 

“You have often enjo3^ed hearing the Pro- 
fessor.” 

“ I prefer now Mr. IMood}-.” 

“ Dear sister in Christ,” said the summoned 
lay-preacher ; “do I find you looking up or down 
to-day ? ” 

“Down sir; and that is the difficult}"; I cannot 
lielp it.” 

“Cannot help it? O, I am so glad to hear 

}^ou say this, for God delights to help the helpless. 

He tells us that it is his wav to leave the 

%/ 

■ ninet}^ and nine and go out after the one who 

is the farthest off from comfort and from safet}\” 

“ That is m}^ condition, sir. For almost two 
3 ’ears I have been cherishing a hope of salvation 
while rejecting more and more the proffered 

benefits of religion in this life.” 


A BATTLE WITH UNBELIEF. 


Ill 


Then you see its folly, do you ? 

“Yes, I begin to see it. But how can I 
realize God’s presence and care through the horri- 
ble life I have been called to live, and now here 
when by my sickness I am using in advance every 
dollar I can earn for months, may lose my sit- 
uation in the school, shall disappoint my publish- 
ers as to my new book, and everybody has been 
made to forget all about my continued story in > 
the Globe ? ” 

“You cannot of yourself realize it. Such feel- 
ing is the gift of God’s Spirit in answer to 

prayer.” 

“ I have prayed for it.” 

“But you have set the time, and told God 

that he must come within such limits, or you 
would not believe him.” 

“ Two years are a long, long time.” 

“ Not too long for the ripening of some of 

God’s most gracious purposes with us. It was 
longer with David, and with Ruth, and with 
Mary the mother of our Lord. You are sorely 
tempted to- distrust God. But there must be 

some way of escape; the Bible says there always 
is. Let us close oiir eyes in pra}"er and find it.’’ 

And then Mr. Moody prayed as he knelt by 

her side, even as so often since in the crowded 

inquiry room, “the effectual fervent prayer of the 

righteous man that availeth much.” He asked tliat 

new wisdom and strength might come to this 

one, who had been worsted of late in the conflict 
' * 


112 


SELF-GIVmG. 


with unbelief. He entreated that she might be 
brouglit forth from this crucible pure gold for 
the Master’s use ; that slie might be as reconciled 
to all the dealings of Providence as to the plan 
of salvation through Christ, and that even that 
hour she might have the sight of ' faith to pierce 
the clouds over her head.” 

“Amen!” whispered INIargaret, while the smil- 
ing tears in her eves told that she had caught 
a glimpse of the sunlight beyond. 


CHAPTER X. 


THWARTED PLANS, AND KANSAS COLPORTAGE. 


president of the Theological Seminary in 
i New York welcomed Llewellyn Litchfield 
with the utmost cordialit3^ He was very much 
pleased with the young man’s personal appearance, 
liis intelligence and his religious character. Evi- 
dently he was more than a college-graduate. He 
had seen the world, won some of its battles in 
a spirit of manly self-reliance, and did not come 
in the effeminate, irresolute and lolling manner in 
which many students present themselves for 
admission to our Theological Seminaries. 

And, no, Mr. Litchfield,” continued the pres- 
ident, ‘‘you feel quite settled in your conviction, 
that it is your duty to prepare to be a mission- 
ary to the heathen. Why are you not now pre- 
pared, without any farther studjq to enter upon 
such labor?” 

“ I have come into contact, sir, with many of 
the leading minds among the natives of Asia, and 
have found that it is not safe to meet them in 
battle except with the sharpest and best-tempered 
weapons. They know how to handle with great 

113 


* 


114 


SELF-GIVmG, 


dexterity and effect their false principles and 
religious systems. I have seen missionaries con- 

o 

fused in argument and compelled to retreat by 
the superior skill of heathen men.” 

“ But then, the masses of the populations, 
among whom you would do most of your work, 
are very ignorant and degraded.” 

“ O, sir ; it has been among them especially 
that 1 have felt my deficienc}^ I could argue 
with a mandarin upon the relative merits of 
Christianity and Confucianism, much more easily 
than I could explain to my servant in Peking 
wliat Christians believe.” 

“ You are right, Mr. Litchfield. It is one of 
the greatest mistakes wliich many make, that we 
are educating ministers and missionaries for edu- 
cated people ; that the demand for thorough train- 
ing in the ministry is specially on account of the 
increased intelligence of the laity. The demand 
is supremely involved in the very character of 
Christianity and in the complexities of every 
human soul.” 

“ Who is the professor in the missionary depart- 
ment of your seminary ? I know I shall enjoy 
and greatly profit under his instruction.” 

‘‘ I am sorry to say, we have no such professor 
or department as yet. It is a shame tliat w^e 
have not even arrangement for a course of lectures 
upon the great science of Christian missions. It 
is a reproach our Theological Seminaries cannot 
very much longer endure.” 


TIIWABTEB PLANS. 


115 


The next morning Llewellyn had hardly time 
or inclination to glance at a newspaper, so filled 
were his thoughts with the realization of the plan 
which had matured in Chiiia and then brought 
])im hither so many thousands of miles. At nine 
o’clock he was to meet with his fellow-students 
for the first time, in the chapel of the seminary. 
Wlmt cared he about New York and Washington 
hotel and street-gossip, wlien commencing prepara- 
tion to be a messenger of God to heathen mil- 
lions? Still he looked for a moment to see the 
news from the war. 

“ What is this ? Can it be possible ! ” 

HEAVY DEFALCATION. 

WASHINGTON^ savings’ BANK BUINED. 

Cashier Confesses. Loss of ^ll its Funds in 

Wall Street. 

“Then I have nothing,” sobbed Llewellyn, after 
he returned to his room, where he broke com- 
pletely down; the first flood of tears he had shed 
since his father’s death. “Nothing; all lost I Not 
enough to pay my board bill here for the rest 
of this ’week ! 

“O, God,” he exclaimed, as he fell upon his 
knees, “let me not lose Thee in the terrible 
darkness of this calamity!” 

He reached across the table for his Bible, and 
as if angel-fingers had opened it, his eyes rested 
first upon these words of Job. 


116 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” 
The rattling of a key in his door reminded 
Llewellyn that his room was wanted, and as 
there was no other suitable place for him to 
linger in the boarding-house, he was compelled to 
take to the streets. Here he wandered aimlessly 
for hours, till weary, lie sought the rooms of the 
Young Men’s Christian Association. 

Without reading, his eyes traced the lines 
of many columns of the newspapers, until his atten- 
tion was arrested by a contributed article in the 
Chicago Grlohe.^ entitled, My Wounded Lird.” 

It was a prettily told story of a canary bird 

which had been singing sweetly in chorus with 
several others of her kind in other cao'es of the 

o 

room, until an old cat sprung against her cage 

and knocked it jover on the floor. The little 
songstress was not caught in the fatal claws of 
the monster, but one of her wings was broken 
by the fall. Then the writer tells how the 

broken wing was splintered , how carefulh' a nest 
of cotton was made and how for many da}^s she 
had more attention from lier owner tlian all the 
other canary birds together. In the moral it was 
urged that society should give more attention to 
the unfortunate and distressed, and tliat this 

lesson of nature must be the revelation of God. 

The article was signed Elfrida,” nom de 

plume., under which Margaret Kilburne began her 
contibutions to the Chicago press. 

It was like a cooling zephyr to a feverish 


THWARTED PLANS. 


117 


brow. Could Margaret have known what lielp 
lier words had been to one young man in a 
far-off city, when sorely wounded in spirit and 
almost helpless with despair, she would have felt 
ready to take a great many rebuffs from the 
newspaper editors. 

Greatly refreshed with the thought, that now in 
liis extreme plight he was the object of God’s 
special solicitude, and that, whatever was before 
him, God was nearer to him and cherishing him 
more tenderly than ever, he returned to his 
boarding-house, and early in the evening called 
again upon the seminary president. 

The welcome was not as cordial as it had been 
the evening before. 

“ We have not se^n- you to-day at the chapel 
or in your class. What is tlie explanation? ” 

The story was soon told, and Llewellyn found 
quick sympathy and wise counsel. 

‘‘ I had my misgivings, Mr. Litchfield, about 
your beginning in the middle of a theological 
seminary year. Work ever so faithfully, you can 
hardly make good the opportunities lost, and 
besides it is a year and a half since you left the 
drill of college walls. However earnest your pur- 
pose, it will be some time before you, from your 
journeyings round the world and desultory studies, 
can adjust yourself to a rigid routine of school 
life.” 

t 

“ If now I wait until next autumn to begin with 
a new class, then I am kept back for one whole 


118 


SELF GIVING. 


year from entering upon foreign missionary work.” 

‘‘That is not so important as you imagine, Mr. 
Litchfield. Among ^’oung men who feel called to 
the work, there is a great deal of undue anx- 
iety to hasten precipitately into the preaching of 
the Gospel at home or abroad. Christ did not 
begin his public ministry till he was thirty years 
old.” 

As the result of this conversation, and of an 
interview the following day with the Secretaiy of 
the Bible SocieCv, Llewellyn accepted a six months’ 
commission as a colporter in Kansas. This would 
enable him to gain some experience in mission- 
ary work ; to thoroughl}^ test the reliability of his 
“ call,” and to add probably three hundred dol- 
lars to the income of the scholarship promised 
him in the fall. 

It was very hard work for Llewellyn to sell 
Bibles from house to house throughout the 
rural districts of Central Kansas. He had not 
known that there could be any evangelistic labor 
in America so comparable with the hardships of 
foreign mission toil. The experience of his father 
in village-pastorate had shown him that the min- 
isters at home also had their heavy crosses to 
bear, but lie went away to college so early in 
life that he did not receive the full emphasis of 
such impressions. His new’ experience was there- 
fore very instructive, and it became quite certain 
that in his future correspondence from a heathen 
land, as also in his public addresses during vaca- 


TIIWABTED PLANS. 


119 


tioiis, Llewellyn would never say, or even seem to 
say, tliat the foreign missionary liad the riglit to 
monopolize the sympathy of Christian people. 

At a little village named Lebanon, lie was stop- 
ping over night with a home missionary there 
located. For supper they had nothing but corn- 
meal porridge with molasses. But it tasted deli- 
ciously to Llewelhm, after his twenty miles’ tramp 
that day, carrying all the way his satchel of Bibles, 
and calling at more than a score of farmliouses. 
He ate as heartily as any of the six children 
around the plain, clothless table. 

His apartment was a curtained corner of the family- 
room, with the only bedstead in the house, fur- 
nished with a single straw-tick, and with a scarcity 
of covering that suggested at once the necessity 
of remaining dressed. 


As they sat down conversing around the cooking- 
stove, in the light of a burning wick upon the edge of 
a saucer filled with tallow, Llewellyn had good oppor- 
tunity to study this home-missionary and his family. 

AYhere did you attend school, Mr. Suther- 
land ? ” inquired the visitor, certain that the ques- 
tion could create no embarrassment. 

graduated at Yale and at Andover.” 

‘‘And your wife?” 

“ She went for awhile to the Buffalo HiMi School, 

o 

and completed her course of study at the Ips- 
wich Female Seminary.” 

“ Did you never have any call to an Eastern 
church ? ” 


120 


SELF-GIVING. 


O, indeed, several. I was wanted in Salem 
at a two thousand dollar salary, and I had an 
invitation to Philadelphia at four thousand dollars 
a year.” 

“Why did you not accept one of them?” 

“ Because I was thorouglily convinced that God 
had called me to be a missionary, and my wife 
felt equally decided upon tliat point.” 

‘‘Then should you not have gone to Turkey, 
or India, or China ? ” 

“No, sir; it pleased God to breathe into us 
somewhat of the spirit of those Moravians, who 
buried themselves for life in the lazarettos of 
Southern Europe, and we felt as if we should 
go in Christ’s name into the hardest and most 
repelling work to be found in the world.” 

“ What is 3mur salary here ? ” 

. “Three hundred dollars from the mission soci- 
ety, and the people of this region make it up 
to about one hundred dollars more. We are a 
little close at present in our living expenses, 
as you may notice, on account of the late severe 
sickness of our eldest daughter.” 

“ You surely have some allowance annually 
from your society toward doctor’s bills ! ” 

“No; such provision is made only for foreign 
missionaries.” 

“ Certainly something is sent you additionally for 
house-rent ? ” 

“ O, no ; you have all your ideas from heathen 
lands. There is no corresponding sentiment abroad 


THWARTED PLANS, 


m 


in the churches to treat us generously. This 
shanty takes fifty dollars a year of our salary. 
Then wife and I have no vacations. I have been 
here twelve years, but the officers at the Rooms 
would consider me insane, should 1 propose at 
tlie expense of the treasury to take my family 
to Boston, or New York, or Philadelphia, and rest 
two years, or even two months.” • 

‘‘ Do you mean to object to foreign missionaries’ 
vacations ? ” 

“ I do not. They ought to come home in every 
eight years or so. But I do not see how many 
of them can consent to stay away from their 
work so long. Here I have a little central sta- 
tion and ten out-stations in different parts of tliis 
'County, in all of which I preach regularly from one 
to four times a month, and to leave my work for 
two 3 'ears would be almost its ruin.” 

“ I have been told,” observed Llewellyn, “ that 
the home missionaries receive a great many pres- 
ents from the churches in the older settled 
regions of the country.” 

‘"We have liad but one box, and that five years 
ago from a church in Maine. It is a long way 
off, and the good sisters forgot to pay the freight 
expenses. The cost of teaming from the railroad 
here was fifteen dollars in addition, and it was 
several months before again we felt even with the 
world.” 

The next morning at seven o’clock, as Llew- 
ellyn was about to start upon his daily col- 


122 


SELF-QTVJNG. 

% 

portage-work, liis host brouglit him a little bag 
of silver and copper and nickel coins, saying : 

Tliere are ten dollars, onr family contribution 
the past 3^ear to the foreign mission cause. I will 
go along with you to the store and get it changed 
into a bill, and then will trouble you to hand 
it next week, when you reach Leavenworth, to the 
State agent.” 

In the first woods outside of that village through 
which Llewellyn passed, lie knelt and prayed that 
he might be made the fitted messenger of such 
self-sacrificing hearts to the heathen Avorld. 

It was a surprise for him to find so many 
homes Avithout Bibles. Perhaps a third of these 
he persuaded to purchase. More frequently he 
succeeded, after some religious conversation, in 
securing the attention of the family to the reading 
and exposition of a chapter of God’s word, and then 
their permission for him to lead them in prayer. 

Hardly a day passed, however, without some 
rudeness. Doors were slammed in his face; dogs 
were permitted to trouble him to the delight of 
their scoffing owners ; his Bibles Avere stolen ; 
often he Avas refused shelter at night, and Avas 
compelled to travel on till very late before he 
could find a resting-place. Sometimes he had to 
sleep in barns and sheds and on the sheltered side 
of straw-stacks. He Avould not have suffered so 
much had he been on any secular business, but 
his fidelity to his mission purpose aAvakened fre- 
quent and sometimes bitter hostility. 


TIIWABTED PLANS, 


123 


Not alwa}"s so, however. One night in a log- 
house lie found that God’s spirit had evidentlj^ 
preceded him. Both husband and wife were hun- 
gering for Gospel-food. They had not met a min- 
ister since they moved to Kansas from the old 
Green Mountain State eleven years before. There 
was no Bible in the house, and there had never 
been any prayer. Yet both had begun to long 
for something better tlian that this world can give 
or take away. Till almost morning Llewellyn read 
and expounded Scripture to them, and prayed for 
them and with them, until light broke into their 
souls, and they rejoiced in a believer’s hope. The 
last words of the happy farmer to Llewellyn on 
the morrow were, ‘‘If ever you want a man to die 
for 3’ou, send for me.” 

Occasionally he would come across a rich Chris- 
tian character in those far out-of-the-way districts, 
a real diamond in the rough. Then, part of the 
time, at least, he received more than he gave of 
that wisdom which is from above. One old lad^^’s 
cheerfulness under a bewildering accumulation of 
troubles, her confidence which nothing could shake 
in the loving fatlierhood of God, and her pra}^er 
wdth him and for him regarding the missionary 
purpose of his life, lingered for years with Llew- 
ell}^! as a most precious memory and a most 
valuable inspiration. 

In one home he met an experience which 
turned many leaves of his after-life. That day a 
letter came from the army in Virginia, saying 


124 


SELF-GIVING. 


that the only son of this family had .fallen in 
battle. The writer, who communicated as tenderly 
as possible this sad news, was a delegate of tlie 
Christian Commission. Llewellyn did all he could 
to bind up the broken-hearted. He also replied 
to the letter in their behalf, adding an offer of 
his own services in the hospitals or at the front 
during the succeeding months of July and August. 


CHAPTER XL 


WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC 


conflict of Mr. and Mrs. Lyddell with 


God, in regard to the foreign missionary 
ambition of tlieir daiigliter, continued upon their 
return to Boston. Tliey had spent considerable 
time and money in Paris, in the endeavor to draw 
away Cleora’s- inclinations from tlioughts of the 
heathen and their evansrelization to the interests 

o 

of* select fashionable society and to the consider- 
ation of the question of her settlement in life. 
Though meeting with no encouragement, they 
resolved not to relax their efforts when they had 
completed the circuit of the globe, and were again 
at home upon Beacon street. 

Immediately they arranged for a general recep- 
tion at their mansion, to which invitations were 
extended to many of Mr. and Mrs. LytldeU’s old 
friends, and to over a hundred of the 3^011 ng 
])eople in tlie leading families of Boston and vicin- 
ity The uttendance and the cordiality of the 

1/ 

greetings were very pleasing to Cleora. She 
appreciated the intelligence and refinement of lier 
guests, which enabled them to pass away a pleas- 


125 


12C> 


SELF-GIVING. 


aiit evening without recourse to cards and danc- 
ing. She was unreconciled, however, to the amount 
of time required to meet all the demands of so 
large a circle of acquaintances. Her conscience 
condemned her for spending life so selfishly. She 
riglitly judged that there is a dissipation of cul- 
ture and refinement, as well as of ignorant, low- 
lived sellsualit3^ 

Amoncy the omests of tliat evenino- were tl)e 

o o o 

poets Loiigfellow, Whittier, Holmes and Lowell ; 
and those other two of our sweet American bards, 
Biyaiit and Emerson, sent their regrets in w^ords so 
fitly chosen that it seemed as if the}' were there. 
The jMayor of the city and Senator S.umner came in 
for a few moments, and the President of Harvard 
University lingered as if in coiigenial atmosphere. 
Yet Cleora was happier upon the morrow, wfien 
she had her carriage loaded with the leavings of 
the great feast, and went along to give the cakes 
and the fruits to the bovs and girls’ charitv 
liomes, and the flowers to the different wards of 
the city hospital. 

It was hardlv a month after her return that Cleora 
became actively enlisted in the work of the Chris- 
tian and Sanitary Commissions. To their fairs she 
contributed more of the curiosities she Iiad brought 
from foreign lands, than she retained for her own 
pleasure. She served at the tables, evidently not 
to exhibit lierself, but to help the cause of allevi- 
ating the distresses of the sick and wounded 
soldiers in the hospitals and at the front. Many 


WITH THE AEMY OF THE POTOMAC. 


127 


an hour at liome she spent in making lint am] 
biindages to send to where bones were breakiim-, 
and blood was flowing for linmaii rights. 

O o 

“ Ma}" I go witli you?” asked Cleora eagerly 
of Rev. and Mrs. Dr. Tolluirst, of Giaice Cliureh, 
who were making a partiijg call upon the Lyd* 
dells before going to the Army of tlie Potomac, 
in the interests of the Massachusetts Relief Agency. 

‘‘ Surely, Miss Ljuldell,” replied Doctor Tolhurst, 
‘‘you would make an excellent companion for my 
wife in the hospital work : and even should v/e 

find ourselves at times upon the battle-fields, I 
think you would know what to do and to say.” 

“ But we have no ambition that our daugliter 
should become a Florence Nightingale,” exclaimed 
J\lr. Lyddell, while his wife added to his protest 
her emphatic assent. 

“Nor I either, father dear,” responded Cleora. 
“ I have no longing to become celebrated as a 
philanthropist ; I simply wisli to do all tlie good 
1 can wherever there is opportunity, and here 
seems to be one providentially presented. You will 
not forbid me — von have no son for the armv. 
Please let me go to help the sick and wounded 
sons of ‘Others ! ” 

“ I am perfectly willing that you should give a 
thousand dollars to this new relief enterprise.” 

“ But, father, I desire to give myself. For this 
glorious cause I cannot do up my heart in any 
amount -of money. Please, mother, you give }a)ur 
consent, and tlien fatlier will, I know!” 


128 


SELF-GIVING. 


And they both did ; not because they wished 
tlieir daughter to go to the front, but tliey thouglit 
tlie rough experience of such philanthropy would 
soon drive lier back in glad retreat to the ease 
and opportunity of lier station in life. The}^ were 
becoming discouraged in their efforts to extinguish 
tlie fire of Cleora’s foreign missionary enthusiasm, 
but perhaps a few weeks witli Doctor and Mrs. Tol- 
hurst, among many hard, swearing and insulting 
men would do it. 

It was along in the summer succeeding the dis- 
astrous battles of Chancellorsville and Fredricks- 
burg. Tiie army lav between Alexandria and 
the Rappahannock. There were many thousands 
of sick and wounded soldiers in the field-hospitals, 
as also in Washington and at other points 
throughout the North. Those retained at the 
front were either slightly invalided and soon 
ex})ccted to report for duty, or so seriously dis- 
eased or iniured as to render removal dangerous. 

Among several hundreds of the latter, belonging 
to the second corps, were pitched the two tents 
of the Massachusetts Relief Agency. Miss Lyd- 
dell had curtained off half of Doctor and IMrs. 
Tolhurst’s tent as Iier own private apartment. 
The other, which was a larger spread of canvas, 
was their depot of stores, in charge of Rev. Dr. 
Harris of Lowell, and Rev. Mr. Kennard of 
W orcester. 

Daily, Cleora, under the direction of the armv 
surgeons, made her rounds of the hospital wards, 


WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 


129 


carrying delicacies of food, clean linen, papers and 
books. Many a feverish face and hand were made 
more comfortable by her washing. Many a pillow 
seemed easier after she had arranged it. And 
many a time the medicine appeared to taste less 
bitter and to work more efficaciouslv, when she 
reached one of her hands under the warrior’s head, 
and with the other placed the cup or spoon to 
his parched lips. 

“ O, lady, please stay a little longer by my cot ! ” 
pleaded a man one day as Cleora moved on, 
after leaving a glass of jelly at his side. 

“Can I do anything more for you this time?” 

“ No. Only yourself. It is a little bit of home 
again to look at a lady. It almost seems as if 
my arm is on, and I am with mother and Mary 
on the farm.” 

“Have you a picture of }^our Mary?” 

“No; but she is like you, only a little more 
beautiful. You are an angel to us, but nobody 
can equal her.” 

“Was she willing that you should come to the 

0 5 ? 

war r 

“ Oh ! she was braver than me, and said if I 
would go she would work the farm ; and since 
she has buried the baby — harder for her than 
for me to lose my arm. No doubt she is in the 
field to-day in my place. It is only a very little 
farm.” 

“ I will write her post-office address in my 
book, and send her a letter in a few days.” 


130 


SELF-GIVING. 


‘‘ But don’t tell her my arm is gone ! Say I 
was hurt; that’s .all. The bail touched me in 
front ; tell her that.” 

Word came to the Agency tent one morning 
from the surgeon of a New York regiment, that 
one of his men, who had been badly wounded in the 
breast, was dying, and kept calling for the 3^0 ung 
lady Christian. 

‘‘ Isn’t she coming j^et ? ” 

‘‘ Yes, John, I am here,” replied Cleora as 
she knelt b}^ his side. 

“ You were tellino^ me the other dav of the Friend 

O o 

of sinners ; and you said he’d not turn me off.” 

“Ail true, John. Do you believe in him?” 

“ I believe in you.” 

“ I am only a poor sinner, saved by faith in 

Jesus Christ. And I know that mv Saviour will 

%/ 

be 3^our Saviour too, if 3^011 will 01113^ let him.” 

“Put 1113^ hands up, then, together, just as 3^011 do 
when 3'ou pray, and tell me what to sa3^” 

“Yes, I will, John.” And Cleora took the 
hands that were alread3" cold in death, and held 
them clasped above his wounded breast. 

“ I’m an awful sinner, lad3^ I have been a 
swearer and a thief and adulterer and a drunkard, 
and I killed m3" wife ” — 

“Tell it all now to Jesus,” interrupted Cleora, 
as she still held his hands in pr.a3"er, and noted 
the glazing C3^es. 

“It is just so; O, God, 3"ou know it! I’m 
sorry, but that don’t help it ” — 


WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 


131 


“Jesus save me! Say that, John.” 

“Jesus save me I There liaiii’t no other way; 
I can’t give you anytliing. O, God! O, Jesus!” 

It was all that could be heard. The eyes were 
still open, and as the lips continued moving, 
Cleora kept the hands lifted in prayer. And yet 
she thought it was joyful testimony of another 
soul, though with sins of blackest dye, washed 
white in the blood of the Lamb. 

“Have you pen and ink, lady?” inquired of 
Cleora one morning a young man who could 
scarcely have been out of his teens. He was very 
low with the dysentery, which carried off more 
than the bullet from our army. 

“ Yes, and I have paper too. I am alwaj^s 
prepared to write for the soldiers. Is it to your 
mother ? ” 

“Yes, mam. God bless her! I do not deserve 
such a mother.” 

“ I hope 3^011 alwa3"s treated her well.” 

“No, I didn’t. That’s the trouble; and I want 
to confess to her — lu}^ hand is so weak, I cannot 
write it ; so I called you.” 

“ Then I shall say for }"ou now — My dear 
mother ! ” 

“ O, make it a little stronger; I called her ‘ the 
old woman’ so long — sajq My Very Dear, Dear 
Mother.” 

And Cleora wrote on as he dictated, his voice some- 
times so feeble that she had to lean over close to his 
thin, pale lips to catch his meaning. It was a long 


132 


SELF-GIVING. 


story of unrequited love, of ruuiiing away to sea, of 
falling among wicked companions, and of enlisting 
in the service after a night of dissipation. 

“ That dark I'ecord is all down, lint, soldier, it is 
written also in God's book above.” 

‘‘It was, lady, till last night. But after I lieard 
you praying by the cot of my next comrade, for 
Jesus to blot out all liis transgressions, I kept saying 
over your words till something made me sure they 
were answered.” 

“Then I may write your mother that God lias for- 
given you, and that you desire her to do so too ? ” 

“ Yes ; and tell her if I get well Til come home, 
and tliat Til not give her reason to shed any more 
tears over me.” 

On return that evening to her tent, Cleora 
passed a regiment of cavaliy, preparing to go 
forth on a very dangerous reconnaissance. The 
colonel, who gave his name as Loughridge of 
Chicago, handed her a beautiful diamond-mounted 
lady's watch, saying : 

“ This belonged to my wife who died a year 
ago. If I fall to-night, send it to my little 
daughter. Tliis is her address.” 

And the major also dismounted, saying: 

“ Lady, please, this ring has the picture of my 
betrothed. Here is her card. Perhaps you may 
return it to me in the morning.” 

“ I do not like to ask it,” said a young lieu- 
tenant, stepping up modestly to her side, “ but 
mother requests me in a letter to-day to send her 


WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 


133 


a lock of my hair, and perhaps this is my only 
opportunity, if you will allow me to cut off some 
witli my knife and leave inside of her letter with 
you.” 

Then several of the private soldiers ventured 
to approach Cleora. 

This pocket-book has my last month’s pay : I 
was expecting to send it to-morrow to my family.” 
This Bible my mother gave me : tell her I 

have read in it every day.” 

“ This knife was my little boy’s good-by : would 
you mind keeping it for — for me ? ” 

The morrow was a very busy one with Cleora, 
for many of that regiment did not return. The 
colonel was severely wounded, and every day for 
weeks, Cleora or Mrs. Tolhurst ministered unto 
him. The sabre had cut veiy close to one of his 
eyes, so that he could not read, and Cleora read to 
him frequently from the newspapers. A little book 
upon crosses and crowns of life, written by 
Margaret Kilburne, and which Cleora had received 
from her Chicago friend since coming to tlie army, 
interested liim very much, especially when he 
learned that its authoress was from his own cit}^, 
had lived in his own neighborhood, and liad been 
one of the most brilliant lights in the society to 
which he belonged. At its close he requested his 
reader to pencil her friend’s present address in his 
m e m o r a n d u m -book. 

From the supply-tent the clergymen in charge 
had finally to return home to their pastoral duties. 


134 


SELF-GIVING, 


and Cleora was their substitute a week. Occasion- 
ally, the Christian Coininission delegates drew 
upon her stores. Thus, one morning a young 
man came to request the loan of a few bottles 
of Jamaica ginger. 

“Your name, please, sir, to record in our order- 
book?” 

“ Llewellyn Litchfield. And if you ever come 
to our tent for supplies, I hope I maj^ be there 
to inquire your name.” 


CHAPTER XII. 


TEMPTED FROM DUTY. 

W HILE much absorbed by]ier literary ambition, 
aiar garet Kilburiie was not unmindful of her 
special gift of song. She had been hindered from 
taking any course of tliorough instruction in vocal 
music, formerl}" on account of the pressure of school 
and social duties, and latterly because she could not 
afford to pay the exorbitant charges of first-rate 
teacliers. But her voice and familiarity with the 
rudiments were highl}^ appreciated among her 
pupils, and at her old church, to which she returned 
after recovery from the severe sickness, she was 
invited to take the leading place in the choir, at 
five liundred dollars a year. In the Sunday-school, 
where slie resumed her class, slie played the piano, 
insisting, however, that this should be gratuitous 
service. Slie was mucli liappier, and hence in 
more of a singing mood, than she had been for 
months. Her faith again was strong in God, 
and lier conviction of duty to missions plain ; 
yes, stronger and plainer, and hence she was more 
inclined to sing, and could sing better. 

Miss Kilburne, I have called to make a prop- 

135 


136 


SELF-GIVING, 


osition to you. I do it as a mere matter of 
business, which I have carefully considered, and 
in reo'ard to which I am able and willinof to 
take all the risks.” 

The caller was the manager of the old Opera 
House, which was destroyed in the terrible con- 
flagration of 1871. He was a gentleman in 
appearance, past middle life, and his whole man- 
ner was qualified to inspire confidence. 

I liave heard }mu sing in church several 
times of late, and you have a remarkable, natural 
voice ; but it lacks cultivation.” 

“ 1 am indeed well aware, sir, of the lack of 
cultivation, as also of the inexorable reasons.” 

Do not understand me, then, as offering any 
favor. Simply this : I am willing to invest ten 
thousand dollars in your voice, assuming all the 
risks, provided you will give me a paper, 

agreeing, after the completion of a two }^ears’ course 
of instruction in Europe, to sing under my manage- 
ment for five years, at terms that shall appear 
mutually satisfactory at the close of the first season.” 
“ Your offer, sir, is very complimentary, and I 
cannot help giving it careful thought.” 

‘‘ Pardon me. Miss Kilburne, if I add another 
consideration. Your former residence upon IMicliigan 
avenue has lately come into my possession. 1 do 
not intend to occupy it ; only an investment. If 
it would be pleasing to you to have your parents 
again reside there eventually, I Avill arrange that 
this property shall be your savings bank.” 


TEMPTED FROM DUTY. 


137 


“Indeed, it is a beautiful castle in Utopia which 
you have built for me, sir. Your proposition 
almost takes my breath away. I fear I shall 
not be able to consider tlie question as judiciously 
and conscientiously as I sliould.” 

The day following, while this matter was still 
undecided in her own mind, Margaret had occasion 
to call at the office of the Chicago Review^ to 
leave a notice she had written of a new book 
which the editor had sent her for examination. 

4 

“ May I detain you a few moments longer, 
Miss Kilburne ? I wish to speak with you regard- 
ing a permanent employment, for which you have 
shown special qualification.” 

“I wonder,” thought IMargaret to herself as she 
followed him into his sanctum, “if he has anv- 
thing to do with this singing business. Perhaps 
he knows of my offer, and is the good angel to 
warn me against going even upon the opera 
stage.” 

“ I can afford,” continued the editor after they 
were seated, “ to give you twice the salary you are 
now receiving as schoolteacher, if you will devote 
all your time to one of the literary depart- 
ments of my paper.” 

“ i\ly singing in church could not interfere, I 
suppose, with the duties you suggest?” 

“ Oh, no ! At least it should not.” 

“Would you be willing, sir, to engage me for 
a year? I may by that time have more pressing 
duties that may call me away from Chicago.” 


138 


SELF-GIVING. 


The editor kept his tlioughts of explanation to 
himself, and was too much of a gentleman even 
to cast a single inquiring glance at the modest, 
frank J^oung lady. Yet lie assumed that he liad 
discovered matrimonial rocks aliead^ which prob- 
ably would wreck his enterprise. 

‘‘ It would hardly answer to consider so brief 
an engagement,’’ he replied. ‘‘ It would take several 
weeks for you to get your work well in hand, 
and there would be the liability of various dis- 
tractions toward the close of the j^ear. I should 
feel it necessary to be reasonably certain that 
your services were secured for three or four 
years.” 

A week of great mental agitation, which almost 
drove Margaret to distraction, followed these two 
honorable business offers. 

“ He does not ask me to be a theatrical per- 
former, but a singer in opera. That sounds very 
differently; is it really so? Perhaps the morals 
are no better ; only a little more varnish of 
refinement. To own again that beautiful house 
which father built, and in the elegant dining-room 
to see him at one end of the table and mother at 
the other, oh ! it would be glorious. Perhaps Mrs. 
Norcross would call upon me again ; ha, ha ! A 
star, he thinks I will be. Quite likel}" he is 
mistaken : many men are, even in investing ten 

thousand dollars. Father was with quarter of a 
million. But what would become of my princi- 
ples — my missionary interest? Perhaps I could be 


TEMPTED FBOM DUTY. 


139 


a missionary to tlie profession. I would sing pure 
and religious songs. No ; then tliey would not listen. 
I must pander to polite sensuality in 1113^ words, 
and gestures, and dress. Am I read}^ for this? 
No; but such glittering prizes! That literaiy offer 
is not so dazzling, but it is complimentary. I 
would not have to soil my character, nor com- 

promise 111}" religious princi[)les. But the hope of 
going next }^ear as a missionaiy to the heathen 
would have to be abandoned.” 

This battle went on da}" after day in the 

hidden life of Margaret Kilburne. Indeed, more 

than one nis^lit the morniim’s dawn found her 
without having had a moment’s slumber amid 
these clashings of worldly interests against the con- 
viction that it was her duty to hold herself on 

call to be a foreign missionary. 

But the memorv of Antoinette at Yonkers was 
ever before her. Providentially, her Bible-reading 
in course brought her at this time to the sad 
record of Jonah fleeing from Nineveh. Moreover, 
the wisdom of that long-trying sickness was now 
very plain, in that her religious principles, though 
bending far and swaying violently, did not break. 
Before that experience, to either one of these 
t tnnptations she would have yielded. Then she 
would have dnm’o'ed her anchor ; now it held 
witliiii the vail. 

Never had lUargaret’s face shone more bril- 
liantly ; never had her heart been filled with more 
peace and joy, than when one morning she 


140 


SELF-GIVING, 


mailed the letters which politely declined both 
offers, on the o-round of conscientious oblio-ation 
to the cause of foreign missions, and then started 
for her comparatively humble school-work, exclaim- 
ing in thoughts which were heard above: ‘‘Thanks, 

O, God, unto thee, for having given me the 
victory through my Lord Jesus Christ ! ” 

argaret did not know that another lion was 

o 

lurking in her path. She little dreamed that in 
a few months she shovdd be still more severely 
tried, and that her conviction of duty in foi*eigii 
lands would require more consecration, and hei’oism, 
and faith in God. It was well she did not antic- 
ipate it, or she could not have won in the last 
battle. 


After the singing and the literary temptations 
had passed, Margaret entered with a great deal 
of enthusiasm into the home-work of foreign mis- 
sions. She had read for years the Society’s reports 
and periodicals, and supposed that there could be 
no friction, no manifestations of self-interest — 
nothing mean and underhanded in either tlie 
liome or foreign departments of labor, professedly 
so self-abnegating, so purely philanthropic so Christ- 
like. 

As treasurer of the Woman’s Mission Circle in 
her church, Margaret called upon a missionary 
sister from India, the evening after their quarterly 
meeting, to pay her ten dollars, to cover all lier 
expenses, and five dollars additional for coming to 
address them. 


TEMPTED FROM DUTY. 


141 


‘‘Mrs. Hammond, you must know Mrs. Lyton, 
of Madras, the Wesleyan missionary ; I believe she 
is your next door neighbor?” 

“ O, yes, Miss Kilburiie, I know her by sight.” 

“ Indeed ! ” 

“ She assumes too many airs ; at the same 
time is not consistent, for she pets the Euro- 
sians.” 

“ You surprise me.” 

“Yes; and she had a party once, and did not 
even invite me. And she has a little more money 
than we have, and has enticed some of our best 
girls away by giving them more help than we can 
afford. Besides, hei husband is not a perfect 
gentleman. And that eldest daughter ” — 

“ Excuse me, Mrs. Hammond, I have an 
engagemerit, and cannot delay another minute, ” 
interrupted Margaret ; and lialf-stunned with tlie 
revelation of the possibility of such social life 
among any consecrated foreign missionaries, she 
walked to the corner and hailed a passing street- 
car. 

One day there was a lady caller at her school, 
who lingered after the pupils were dismissed, and 
introduced herself as a returned missionary from 
Asia. 

“Under what society, Mrs. Carlyle?” inquired 
jMargaret. 

“ We have been under the American Board, 
but, thank Heaven ! we are no longer in such 
slavery.” 


142 


SELF-GIVING. 


‘"Wliat can I do for yon, Mrs, Carlyle?” 

‘'I understand you write for several promi- 
nent papers in Chicago, and I want you to show 
up the cruel tyranny of those Boston brethren, 
and to advocate our plan for a grand school- 
building at Konumkolun, only two hundred and 
fifty miles north of iMadelikara, on the Malabar 
coast.” 

“ Do not ‘ the Rooms ’ agree with you as to 
the necessity of this institution ? ” 

‘‘No; they say our plan is premature. But 
they appropriate largely to other stations. I would 
like to know if that is fair treatment ! AVe ask 
oidy twenty-five thousand. dollars.” 

“ That is a large sum of money, and its appro- 
priation deserves the utmost possible of informa- 
tion, deliberation and wisdom.” 

“ But we have been there for nine years, and 
we know all about it. We have written whole 
quires of letters of explanation and urgency; but 
no use. So the Lord has laid it upon us to 
make this things o'o ourselves. We have come 
home to beg the money all over the country.” 
“It is a free country.” 

“ Yes, thank Heaven ! and when we have our 
grand building erected, we will offer the deed to 
the Societv, on condition that ‘ the Rooms ’ ask 
pardon for not complying witli our request, and 
at the time invest fifty -thousand dollars as an 
endowment for the school.” 

Margaret wrote nothing as requested ; and if 


TEMPTED FROM DUTY. 


143 


she had, tlie editor undoubtedly would have thrown 
it into liis waste-basket. She was the more bewil- 
dered regarding the subject of Christian Missions. 
To contend with heathenism was enough, without 
sucli clashings. She had thought that tlie spirit 
of missionary consecration was equal to the avoid- 
ance of any such trouble. Perhaps the Society 
was wrong ; but then it could not be riglit to 


strive to create such distrust and discord among 
the home churclies. Marg^aret had thouo’ht that 
bu’eign missionaries were vastly more Christ-like 
in temperament and all wisdom tliau even the 
best of the liome ministry and laity, and was dis- 
covering her mistake. 

The Sunday following Margaret went to church, 
hardly in a spirit to lead tlie singing of the 
choir. Her bright anticipations of the compan- 
ionship of almost perfect co-laborers in the far- 
off lands, were clouded. It was, after all, very 
much like taking hold of any kind of mission- 
work at home, with pastor and deacons and Sun- 
d a y-sc h o ol superintendent. 

The time had come for service to begin. The 
congregation was still scattering, people coming 
in all the while, especially those who wished to 
make a show of their fine clothing. A young 
stranger was in the pulpit, evidently anxious for 
the organist to waste no more time with his elab- 
orate prelude. But the tenor and alto were not 
quite through with a little Sunday-morning flirta- 
tion behind the curtain. 


144 


SELF-GIVING. 


While Margaret was singing, she noticed pass- 
ing up tlie middle aisle toward the pulpit, Rev. 
Dr. Trobridge, the well-known corresponding sec- 
retary of tlie Samaritan Foreign Mission Society. 
She knew that he was to deliver an address that 
afternoon at the Clark Street Tabernacle, for 
which special purpose he had come from Phila- 
delphia. 

She saw that both the Mission-secretary and 
the young clergyman (probably a student from 
the seminary) were surprised at meeting each 
other behind the desk. But after a few words 
cf wliispered conversation, the venerable and 
stately doctor of divinity leaned back comfortably 
in his great cushioned chair, and the young man 
conducted all the services of the hour. 

Margaret enjoyed the sermon, although* it was 
a little bookish and school-fashioned. 

“Poor fellow,” she thought, “you have worked 
hard over that essay on faith. Perhaps you sat 
up all last night, for you are very pale. Last 
Wednesday, for the next morning’s paper, I burnt 
the midnight oil over about the same amount of 
manuscript you have there before you. I think 
you must be very poor, for your clothes are so 
seedy. Perhaps you have not had a good piece 
of beefsteak for a week. I am really glad you 
were in the pulpit first, so as to do the work 
and get the ' supply-money to-da}\” 

Margaret lingered after service to speak with 
Doctor Trobridge, and tell him she would certainly 


TEMPTED FBOM DUTY. 


145 


hear him in the afternoon, but for her Sunday-school 
duties. Then she went up to the gallery to get lier 
music and put on her rubbers, and in about ten 
minutes was passing noiselessly out through the 
spacious church vestibule. She was not to blame 
for liearing the church-treasurer and a deacon a 
moment in conversation. 

‘‘You say you handed the twenty-five dollars to 
Doctor Trobridge ? ” 

“ Yes, deacon ; I thought it would be a real 
privilege, as well as a courtesy, for him to hand 
it over to the young man.” 

“ Who would have thought that, with liis 
salary of three thousand dollars a year, he could 
quietly have pocketed our supply money, and 
have left the young man entirely out in the 
cold.” 

“ Gentlemen,” said Margaret, stepping up to the 
surprised corner, “ I did not mean to hear you, but I 
could not help it. I have earned from }^ou this 
morning five dollars ; please see that this, at leasts 
is sent this afternoon to the cruelly-treated young 
man.” 

“I never, nevei’, never will be a missionary!” 
exclaimed Margaret, as she went stamping her 
little feet down the church steps. “ To think 
tliat a leader in the cause of foreign missions 
should be so selfish, so mean ! He might have 
divided, anyway, if there was some misunder- 
standing about the supply. Who is that yonder? 
Ah ! my old friend, the Illinois District Secretary 


146 


SELF-GIVING, 


of Presbyterian Foreign Missions. I do not want 
to see any more of liis stripe. I will cross the 
street here.” 

, “ O, M iss Kilburne ! ” exclaimed the panting 
Doctor Thompson, who came linrriedly following 
her, ‘‘ \ve wish yon to sing — What, crying ! Dear 
soul, wliat is the matter?” 

I have no more heart ever to be a missionary. 
I have made an idol of the workers, and God has 
broken it into pieces.” 

“I am glad of it, IMargaret. Yon had forgotten 
that God chooses weak, earthen vessels for his 
service. This must be wdse in him abroad as 
well as at home. Has not 3mur judgment often 
been convinced that God wuis right in selecting 
Peter?” 

‘‘Yes, I know; I know” — 

“Only in part, IMargaret: now as through a 

darkened glass. By and bj^ \ve shall see clearly 
why so much imperfection is allowed in the best 
of men and women.” 

“ Yes, Doctor Thompson ; I love to sing of tliat 
‘Sweet by and by.’ We have it as the opening 
piece this evening.” 

“Yes, indeed, Margaret; but do not think it 
must all be bitterness here. Even tliese cups you 
are drinking Christ can sweeten. All earthly dis- 
appointments drive us nearer to God. In my 
work here in Chicago, I know my brethren of 
the ministry so well, I cannot trust them abso- 
lutely; I have to trust Jesus — Jesus only. And 


TEMPTED FROM DUTY, 


147 


could 3’ou look this moment into all my heart 
and character, }"Ou would sa}", oh ! poor broken 
vessel, you cannot hold any water. Yet even we 
are the ones to heed the Master’s call to carry the 
Gospel throughout all the heathen world.” 


CHAPTER XIII. 


TAKEN PRISONERS. 


F rom Kansas Llewellyn Litchfield went directly 
to Washington, and reported himself for duty 
to the general agent of the Christian Commission. 
For several days he was assigned to the Lincoln 
hospital, and his fidelity, without apparently exces- 
sive weariness, marked him as one fitted for the 
hard work at the front. With the next oppor- 
tunity, therefore, he was sent down the Potomac, 
and across toward the Rappahannock, and located 
with two other volunteer delegates near the head- 
quarters of the sixtli corps. 

To scores of diseased and wounded soldiers, 
Llewellyn found opportunity daily of being a 
good Samaritan. Many of the able-bodied of the 
ranks he sought and conversed with, and never did 
his religious efforts meet any rudeness. ^ All had 
become thoroughly impressed with the seriousness 
of the war, and it was generally felt that not 
over half of the men could ever return to their 
homes. It was a field white for the harvest, and 
diligently Llewellyn thrust in his sickle with a glad 
and grateful heart. 


148 


TAKEN PRISONEBS. 


149 


One incident was richly blessed to the strength- 
ening of his faith, and of his determination to go 
to the dark, heathen world. 

“If you please, sir, I would like to see you 
alone ; and where nobody can possibly hear us.’' 
Llewellyn had never met a more brutish and 
repulsive man than this common soldier who thus 
accosted him in front of the commission tent, the 
evening of a dark night. A little prayer meeting 
was in progress within, and the tents around were 
so closely pitched, there seemed no place for per- 
fect privacy except in a ravine outside the camp. 
But Llewellyn was no coward; and, armed only 
with his Bible and his lantern, he replied : 

“All right; I am ready. Let us go to the 
creek.” 

On an old log they seated themselves, and 
waited in silence until two soldiers, who were 
sauntering through the gully, had* passed beyond 
hearing. 

“ I am the wickedest man in this army, and I 
want some of your religion; that’s me.” 

“Well, my dear fellow, Jesus Christ takes 
special pjeasure in saving such as you.” 

“ I don’t know about that. I’m an awful 
wretch. I have committed every crime. There are 
many places where I could be hung to-morrow, if 
I were known. Look at my forehead; you see I 
always keep my hair combed down over it.” 
“Yes; you have had a picture pricked into your 
skin there of a skull and two bones.” 


150 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ Do you know what it means ? ” 

‘‘ No.” 

“ I wish I didn’t, either. It is the pirate’s 
sign. My father was a Spaniard, my motlier 
English. He was a slaver, and harsh to me. The 
crew and I mutinied, and threw him overboard. 
Then we got sick of the niggers, and went free 
after everybody.” 

And killed many ? ” 

“Yes; men, women and children. It’s awful! 
I was a perfect devil ; no mercy, no honor.” 

“ If there is nothing good in you, how is it 
you are now fighting for my country ? ” 

“ The mere pleasure of excitement. I was on 
the other side' until Antietam ; was taken pris- 
oner, swore I was a Union man, and enlisted. 
Don’t care a fig which side beats. But give me 
a chance, and I’ll fight because I like it. A 
hard fellow, I tell you ; but I want some relig- 
ion.” 

“Why?” 

“To put out the fii’e inside of me, and to — 
ah ! — to — oh I I don’t know, but I want religion 
to — ah I ” — * ^ 

“ Let me read you out of God’s word,” inter- 
rupted Llewellyn, for it was painful to see the 
agony of a most wicked soul reaching out in 
utter darkness toward God. 

“ Saith the Lord, thougli your sins be as scarlet, 
they shall be as white as snow ; though they be 
red like crimson, they shall be as wool. The 


TAKEN PBISONERS. 


151 


Soil of Man is come to save that which was lost. 
Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast 
out. Whosoever ” — 

‘‘What's tliat word?” 

“ Whosoever.” 

“ Let me see it ! No mistake ! O, God I ” 

Tlie tattoo sounded, warning all soldiers to their 
quarters. Llewellyn slipped quietly away, thinking 
the man would soon follow, and that it was not 
best to talk with him another word. 

During tlie night Llewellyn was awakened by 
the firing of a gun, and was informed that a 
sentry liad shot a man who was prowling around 
camp after tattoo. 

“ Wliere was he ? ” 

“ Down toward the creek.” 

“ Tell the officer of the guard I want to go 
immediately to him.” 

With two soldiers, Llewellyn was soon beside 
tlie prostrate form of tlie djdng pirate. 

“ Poor fellow, can you speak ? ” asked Llewellyn, 
as he knelt on the grass beside him. 

“Whosoever!” was the only reply. 

“ Do you know me ? I was talking with you 
to-night.” 

“ Whosoever I ” 

Fainter and fainter, this only he said, “Whoso- 
ever I whosoever I whosoever I ” until the bullet 
had done its work, and another soul was in the 
visible presence of its God. 

The first year of Llewellyn’s theological semi- 


152 


SELF-GIVING. 


nary life in New York City passed very pleasantly. 
The faculty were well satisfied with his introductory 
relation of. Christian experience and call to the 
ministr}^, as also with his fidelity and progress. 
As the summer vacation drew near, he expected 
to be compelled to work on a farm nearly all 
the time, to provide himself with clothing for 
the succeeding Avinter. But his record and examin- 
ations entitled him to the income of the Kil- 
burne Fund,” or three hundred dollars a year for 
the two remaining years of his course, and so 
gladly he returned to the army for a second 
summer in the Cliristian Commission work. 

He requested to be sent again to the sixth 
corps, and found many, ah ! not all, of his old 
acquaintances camped in front of Petersburg. 
Some of the harvest of his sowing had been 
gathered at the Wilderness, some of it at Spot- 
sylvania, and still more at Cold Harbor. 

One day General Grant ordered an assault all 
along the lines, from before Richmond to below 
Petersburg. Many thousands fell that day in vain. 
The enemy successfully repelled from behind the 
immense fortifications. Llewellyn, though in con- 
stant peril from bullets showering thickly around 
him, kept close up among the falling and tlie 
dying. NeA’^er were any from the medical and 
ambulance corps in adA^ance of him. Once he 
received a slight Wound, and once also he Avas 
throAvn to the ground by the Avindage of a can- 
non-ball. 


TAKEN PRISONERS. 


153 


By the badges of the wounded, he saw he 
had come to tlie limit of the sixth corps’ battle- 
ground, and to that of the second. He therefore 
was on the point of turning, when a familiar 
voice exclaimed, 

“ Brother Llewellyn ! ” 

“ O, Charley, my brother, is that you ? ” ' 

“ Give me some water ! ” 

“Yes, here is some, and I must add a little 
stimulant, for you are very weak. Where are 
you wounded?” 

In my breast. I know I cannot live.” 

“ Are you prepared to die, dear brother ? ” 
“Yes; I am at peace with God, through faith 
in Jesus Christ. I ran away from home after 
mother was married again, became wild, and 
joined the army.” 

“We tried to find you, Charley.” 

“ Yes ; I supposed so. But I did not wish you 
to, and so I took another name. Nobody has 
known it, except a young Christian lady in the 
army. Miss Cleora Lyddell, who has led me to 
believe in Jesus. Give me some water. It is 
getting dark.” 

“ Charley, you are going where father is. Tell 
him I am to be a minister, and a missionary to 
the heathen.” 

“ Yes, I will. Kiss me for mother. More 
water ! Llewellyn, say, Now-I-lay-me-down-to-sleep.” 
“Yes, Charly; we always repeated it together 
at school.” 


154 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ More water ! ” “ mother ! ” “ Jesus ! ” “ LyJ- 

clell ! ” Jesus ! ” “ mother ! ” “ Jesus ! ” 

And Llewellyn could hear no more. He took 
out his note-book to mark the bearings of some 
of the prominent objects in sight, so that under 
the morrow’s flag of truce he might come and 
find his brother’s body for burial. But he waited 
too long within what was practically the enemy’s 
lines. On both sides the Confederates had been 
streaming forth from behind their breastworks 
after our retiring troops, and before Llewellyn 
was aware, he was taken prisoner, and under 
the extremely suspicious circumstances of appar- 
ently being engaged in sketching the fortifications 
and their approaches. 

“ Have you aii}^ papers, any badge — anything 
with you to prove you are not a Yankee spy ? ” 
asked the captain of the hastily summoned court- 
martial. . 


‘‘ My commission is in my tent ; and my badge, 
which was upon my coat’s lapel, dropped off 
during the battle.” 

“ A likely story ! This is your note-book, 
in which you were found sketching our fortifica- 
tions at the time of capture.” 

I was trying to locate my brother’s body, so 
as to have it buried under the next flag of truce.” 

‘‘ Too thin, sir, with this picture in our hands. 
It is itself enough to condemn you. You have 
exactly the line to that part of our earthworks 
where the trench has been filled by an earth- 


TAKEN PBISONERS. 


155 


slide, and where tlie Yankees miglit have gotten 
over with us yesterday, had they had this sketch 
of approach.” 

‘‘You have levelled all the ground and cut 
down all the trees for a mile in front of your 
works, and in this direction I could hud no other 
bearings than your fortifications.” 

“ Enough, sir ; you do not suppose we believe 
any of this stuff you have packed into your note- 
book, about letters from China, and being a mis- 
sionary, and selling Bibles in Kansas? That is all 
a put-up-job, sir, to cover your tracks as a Yankee 
spy.” 

“ Will you not allow ” — 

“ Silence, sir, wliile tlie court confers.” 

A few moments, and Llewellyn’s fate was sealed. 

^ <u 

“ You are to be hung to-morrow morning at 
ten o’clock. Guard, remove the prisoner ! ” 

What was one life when tens of thousands were 
being slaughtered ? How could more attention in 
the name of justice be given to an enemy ? 

Llewellyn’s brother, Charles Litchfield, had 
spoken of his obligation for religious counsel to 
Miss Cleora Lyddell. She had not been all of 
the past year in the army. It would have been 
her highest pleasure, but her strength was ’ hardly 
equal to the strain of such faithful work as she 
performed, and her parents would not give their 
consent. So she was at home in Boston durinof 
the winter, quite domesticated on account of a 
protracted visit her mother made to Washington. 


156 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ Bridget,” said Cleora to tlie cook after she 
returned from seeing her mother otf at the Provi- 
dence depot, I want you to teach me everything 
about the kitchen in the next two months.” 
‘‘Faith, and I can't tell you ’cept ye soil them 
poorty fingers o’ yours.” 

“ O, I understand, Bridget. This afternoon I 
sliall purcliase a gingham dress and several aprons, 
and then work right along with you two hours 
every day. I wisli to know all about how to make 
bread and cake and 'pies, and to cook meats in 
every way, and to prepare soups and puddings — to 
do everything you can do.” 

“ Ah, me lady, y’ese always to live in a poorty 
grand house, so there’s lots I knows as can niver 
does ye any good.” 

“ What things do you mean, Bridget ? ” 

“ O, fixing up poor stuff for the like o’ me 
when I was left a widdy — johnny-cake, and mush, 
and potato-soup, and pork-fritters, and ha, ha ! 
rich folks hereabouts makes as much as iver I 
did of beans and black bread.” 

“ I want to know all this too, Bridget.” 

And she did. Before Mrs. Lyddell’s return 
Cleora was quite an accomplished cook, and prided 
herself especially in that most useful of all domes- 
tic arts, the ability of making the most out of 
the least. 

Writing to her friend Margaret concerning her 
new experience and its results, she added, “ Surely, 
and God knows it, I am thus much the better 


TAKEN PRISONERS. ‘ 


157 


fitted sometime to be a missionary to the heathen.’’ 
Yet she had not said a great deal of late regard- 
ing this far-off ambition of her heart, her mind 
was so full of the diseased and wounded at the 
front. Mr. and Mrs. Lyddell were very much 
gratified at this reticence, and gave their consent 
to another summer’s work with Mrs. Doctor Tol- 
hurst in the State Relief Agency. 

“ By the time she returns to us again, there 
will be nothing left of her heathen craze,” declared 
the father. 

Her welcome to the field-hospital-work of the 
old second corps was enthusiastic. Many of the 
officers and men gave lier very gratifying atten- 
tions, for she had proved herself a real Florence 
Nightingale in the service. Nuts and bones were 
beautifully carved by patient hands as tokens of 
appreciation ; and if any flower within a mile of 
Cleora’s tent ventured forth into the heat and 
dust of that great battle-field, it was quite sure 
to find its way to tlie box which stood on end 
as the table beside her little cot. Even some of 
the Confederates who had been helped by her 
hands and her words when prisoners, learned mys- 
teriously across the lines of her return, and 
sent most courteous greetings. 

“We have brought him half-way from the 
picket-line ; but he could endure it no farther. 
We are sorry, for he is very anxious to see you.” 
“ I will go with you to him,” replied Cleora. 
“They will not fire on a woman.” 


158 


SELF-GIVING, 


It was true. Good field-glasses in the hands 
of the chivalrous sons of the South kept back 
all leaden messengers ; but the bait of that little 
cluster of Yankee soldiers watchino; a Avonian’s 
ministrations to a wounded picket was too tempt- 
ing, and in a few moments a sortie was made by 
a company of cavalry, and Cleora and her com- 
panions were taken prisoners. 

‘‘We know 3^011, lady,” said the captain; “and 
3^ou may sta}^ or go with us as 3^011 choose. You 
ma3^ mount my horse, and, I assure 3*011, 3^011 may 
return any da3^ 3*011 wish, onl3^ as 3*011 pass our 
lines the general will require you to bandage 3^0111’ 
e3*es.” 

“ Leave two of our men to carry this wounded 
picket to tlie hospital, and I will go with 3*011,” 
was Cleora’s quick and shrewd reply. And not 
waiting a moment, but taking their gallantly as 
a matter of course, she asked : 

“Men, who of you have wives?” 

Three hands went up. 

“And who of 3*ou three have children at 
home ? ” 

Two hands only were lifted. 

“ Take hold of the stretcher, then, you two, 
and report to the Massachusetts Agenc3" that I 
am a prisoner one week. Here, Captain, is my 
handkerchief; be so good as to tie it 3*ourself 
over my C3^es, and then to arrange 3*our saddle for 
a lady to ride.” 

Past the lines two miles — it seemed ten — till 


TAKEN PBISONEES. 


159 


she dismounted at headquarters, had Iier eyes uncov- 
ered, and was most kindly greeted by General 
and Mrs. Stone. 

While they were visiting, a squad of soldiers 
leading a young man bound, with a rope around 

his neck, passed along about a hundred feet in 

front of the fly-tent where they were sitting. 

“ General, I have seen that young man before,” 
exclaimed Cleora. “ He is a delegate of the Chris- 
tian Commission, and his name is Llewellyn 
Litchfield.” 

“ Do you know him ? ” 

‘‘ Not personally ; but he has drawn upon our 
Massachusetts’ Agency-stores. He has a brother 

who is a soldier in our second corps, named 
Charles. I have nursed him.” 

“ Orderly!” shouted General Stone. “Stop that 
execution. It is a mistake. He is not a spy. 

Blindfold him, and send him across the lines at 
once under a flag of truce.” 


CHAPTER XIV. 


BOSTON AND NEW YORK SOCIETY. 

D uring her experience in the relief-work of 
the army, Cleora Lyddell frequently corre- 
sponded with the Boston Chronicle, Its editor saw 
two or three of her first letters to her parents 
after she reached the front, and with their per- 
mission, he wrote to her an urgent request that she 
would become a regular contributor. His promise 
was ten dollars a column, and she directed that 
payment be made in papers for distribution among 
regiments from Eastern Massachusetts. 

On return, many urged Cleora to issue her pub- 
lished letters in book-form, and the editor heart- 
ily endorsed the suggestion. The result was very 
gratifying. Several editions were demanded by 
tlie trade in rapid succession, and the press gen- 
erally tlirougliout the country pronounced the book 
one of the most valuable of the literary contribu- 
tions of the War. A few papers, however, whose 
literary editors had been unsuccessful authors or 
preachers, or who catered to a popular taste for 
sensational criticism, said some very severe things. 
One observed that evidently the author thought 

160 


BOSTON AND NEW YORK SOCIETY. 


IGl 


all wisdom would die with her iu regard to what 
to do with the diseased and wounded in army- 
life, and that omniscience was her foible. Another 
paper said that the book was given to exaggera- 
tion, since it spoke of fifty tliousand as in one 
battle, when the official figures gave only forty- 
seven thousand. And still another remarked that 
the book seemed to be prompted by sincere 
philanthrophy, but it was very lamentable that 
a young woman should allow herself to express 
opinions on questions concerning which men of 
acknowledged capacity and long experience are 
still at loggerheads. 

One day the distinguished secretary of the Massa- 
chusetts Domestic Missions called upon her to lead 
a special subscription, which she did with one 
hundred dollars. 

Will }’ou not accept also a present of my book, 
sir?” 

beg you to pardon me. Miss Lyddell, but 
I could not consent to have it in my library, or 
in my liome.” 

Why, Doctor Addison Johnson, what is the 
matter with.it? Does it not plead a glorious 
cause, the very one to which you are giving your 
life — lielp for the destitute and neglected?” 

“ All true. Miss Lyddell ; and very little but wliat 
is good should be said of your book; nevertheless — 
please raise the window, and ring for a glass of 
fresh water ; the subject affects me, as many others 
here in Boston, very strangely.” 


102 


SELF-GIVING, 


‘‘ But do tell me quickly the reason of all this!” 

“ It is your careless use of the English language. 
Thus you say ‘latterly’ for recently. I know 
that Arclibishop Whately and Southey, and otliers 
of commonplace writing, admit the word, but my 
namesake Doctor Johnson, designates this ‘ a low 
word, lately hatched.’ ” 

“ Ha, ha, ha ! ” burst out Cleora in a fit of 
uncontrollable laughter, while tears came to the 
eyes of her visitor. 

Of such h}^percritical, superfine society. Miss 
Lyddell found much in the American Athens. 
The Philological Society of Young Ladies invited 
her to join, as also the Renaissance Association, 
the Sanscrit Class, the Grecian Band, and the 
Ceramic Club. For these pursuits she had consid- 
erable taste, but her appreciations and inclinations 
were much stronger toward personal beneficence 
among the poor and the needy. 

There were some calls upon her charity, however, 
which she repelled. The causes were good in 
themselves, but had not in the judgment of the 
world, and of the vast majority of Christians, the 
appearance of downright honesty. Thus in Chelsea 
there was an asylum for the blind, supported on 
‘‘the faith principle.” Its superintendent was con- 
tinually sending lier monthly reports, and statisti- 
cal circulars, and writing her of this and that 
poor blind girl he could not receive until the 
Lord should furnish the money. Of course lie 
never asked her for anything ; O no I Besides, he had 


(i 


BOSTON AND NEW YORK SOCIETY, 1C3 

persuaded a deaf and dumb girl in the next 
house to the Lyddell mansion, in whom Cleora 
had been deeply interested, to believe in ‘‘ the faith 
cure,” and by the consequent disappointments, she 
had been driven into hopeless insanity. 

But freely of her heart and hand and money 
she gave to many noble philanthropies. Deeply 
interested in the girls behind the counters, she per- 
suaded twenty leading ladies on Beacon Hill not 
to patronize a certain large store on Wasliington 
street, until stools were furnished the weary ones 
for occasional rests. She organized a society of 
young ladies, pledged to discountenance in every 
proper way the use of wine in social gatherings. 
And she was not afraid to advocate dress reform. 

No institution enlisted more of Cleora’s svm- 
pathies than the Beacon Hill Home for fallen 
women. She had lierself furnished one of the rooms, 
and many an evening with Mrs. Deacon Sage 
of Tremont Temple, she walked the streets, 
inviting to refuge and the hope of a better life, 
girls who had strayed from virtue’s path.” 

Calling at the Home one morning, to counsel an 
unusually attractive young woman who had accepted 
her invitation the night before, and occupied Cleora’s 
room, she found her on the steps going away. 

‘‘ How is this, my friend ? ” inquired Cleora. 
“You are not leaving us so soon, are you?” 

“It is no use. Miss. You cannot save me.” 
“No; but Christ can. Come in, and let us 
talk about him.” 


164 


SELF-GIVING, 


‘‘ He can have nothing to do witli me.” 

Let me read you of the beautiful story, 
where Jesus said: ‘ Neitlier do I condemn thee; 

go, and sin no more.’ ” 

“ Ah, Miss Lyddell ! T was not so wicked all 
at once. Little by little I wandered astray. Tliere 
wuis wilfuliiess, and wine, and the undue familiarities 
of the dance — all before the ruin.” 

Probabl}^ also, you were unfortunate in }"our 
associations.” 

“Ah! that is what they say — unfortunate. No; 
I chose my own companions. From some of the 
purest and the truest I turned, flinging their holy 
friendships awa}', because I would be more wild and 
sensual. Step by step, and myself to blame for 
them all ! ” 

“ Dear friend, there is hope in your candor, and 
in your recognition of truly moral classes in society.” 

“ Ah I Miss Lyddell — may I say Cleora ? — you do 
not know me. Yet you would know my handwrit- 
ing. We have not met for eight years — not since 
Saratoga.” 

“ Can it be possible that you are Laura Hamil- 
ton? ” and the two, hand-in-hand, wept the unspoken 
words. 

“ Yes, Cleora, I stopped writing to you and Mar- 
garet because your letters were becoming so pious. 
At the same time I shook off one of the best vounsf 

1/ O 

men in the world, a Mr. Lie well vn Litchfield. Oh ! 
let me go; I, never can again be fit to associate with 
such as him and you.” 


BOSTON AND NEW YOBK SOCIETY. 


1G5 


‘‘ Laura, you must accompany me to my home. 
You must room Avilli me for the next three months, 
and be my constant companion. Your dress and all 
these ornaments we will tear into pieces and burn 
in tlie furmuie. I can divide some of my wardrobe 
Avitli you, and we will go shopping together until 
you are clothed respectably.” 

It was a great trial to Cleora that so little of this 


and other kinds of Christian self-^ivinsf work were 

O O 

done in her own church. It added to her heart- 
burden to know this was largely her beloved 
minister’s fault. In some respects he was a great 
preacher, but he did as little pastoral work as pos- 
sible. Then his sermons, thoimli stimulatinof to the 
intellect, seldom addressed the heart, and he never 
seemed so happy in the pulpit as when decrying 
evangelists, and disparaging those ministers whose 
preaching results in the conversion of multitudes. 
II e was always flying off from the simple exposition 
and enforcement of Scripture, into abstruse analyses 
and the seizing of every most remote opportunity for 
airing one of his pet theological tlieories. He ridi- 
culed preaclnng old sermons, but Cleora was quite 
sure she had heard scores of times many of his 
propositions and lines of argument. 

These peculiarities of Doctor Sheldon were not 
tlie only trial Cleora had with her pastor. To 
his coldness, and sensoriousness, and egotism, was 
added a worldly conformity. As one evening she 
Avas returning from a mission prayer-meeting, in 
company Avith the poor, fallen Laura, whom she 


1G6 


SELF^GIVING, 


was trying to save, most unfortunately they were 
passing directly in front of the Opera House, when 
he came out with his wife. 

‘‘ Cleora,” quickly observed Laura, ‘‘ that man 
cannot help me any more.” 

‘‘ O, perliaps he has merely been to the door 
for his wife.” 

“ Not likely. Let us attend somewhere else 
next Sunday. A man who can patronize an 
operatic manager who keeps a mistress, and finds 
deligfht in the attitudinizinsf of oirls dressed in 
tights, cannot give me any assistance in struggling 
up into a life of purity.” 

The anxiety of Mr. and IMrs. Lyddell were not 
being allayed. Boston society with its aesthetics 
and philanthropies was not succeeding in curing 
Cleora’s missionary craze.” They determined to 
send her to New York, where she would come 
into contact witli more enterprising fashionable life. 
Into the quite common mistake they fell of 
underestimating the amount and quality of the 
religion which throbs in the great metropolitan 
heart of our country and sends vitality through ten 
thousand channels all over the land. 

The visit was to be with cousins, living in tlieir 
own splendid “brownstone front” on Forty-second 
street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. 

H ere Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, married but 
three months, had commenced housekeeping. He 
was a member of the great banking firm of 
Fletcher Brothers,” and his wife had inherited a 


BOSTON AND NEW YORK SOCIETY, 


167 


million of dollars from her grandfather, Karl Vaii- 
derhusen. Their mansion was furnished in truly 
palatial style, and for its care, together with that 
of the stables, fifteen servants were employed. 
The parlors were hung with seventy-five thousand 
dollars worth of paintings, and some of the finest 
statuary that could be procured in Europe, adorned 
the corners and mantels. 

Moreover, in this elysium love reigned. The 
young couple were sincere and strong in their 
affections for each other. He did not spend as 
much time as many at the club, for his wife 
continued to make it so much more pleasant for 
him at home. They were both members of one 
of the Fifth Avenue churches. Surely here, if 
anywhere, Cleora would become attached to society 
and ambitious to settle down in pride and luxury. 

One day soon after Cleora’s arrival, Mrs. Dore- 
mus, of saintly memory, called for some help upon 
the outfit of a missionary party soon to embark 
for Micronesia. 

Mrs. Fletcher promptly contributed, feeling that 
slie only paid what the call was worth anyway, 
and then Cleora insisted upon doubling the amount. 

‘‘Peifiaps Mrs. Doremus,” continued the latter, 
‘‘would not object if I should accompany her to 
see tlie missionaries off upon the steamer?” 

“ O, no, indeed, i\Iiss Lyddell, })rovided you will 
briiig along a steamer chair and both your hands full 
of flowers to help say good-by to those dear, self-giv- 
ing people.” 


168 


SELF- GIVING. 


After Cleora had seen her chair placed upon deck, 
and liad been down with the missionary sister who 
had received it, to arrange the flowers in her state- 
room, she met on return to the saloon, and to her 
great surprise and joy, her old friend Margaret. 

Why, I thought 3^011 were in Chicago ! ” 

Onl}^ here on afl}dng-trip to see one of my dearest 
pupils sail for the mission-field.” 

‘‘ I wish I was going with this part}^,” said Cleora. 

“ And I too,” responded Margaret. 

‘‘ God knows the deep and strengthening desire of 
my heart,” continued the former ; ‘‘ but his provi- 
dence does not open the wa}^” 

“Nor can I understand,” added the latter, “why 
the Master still so completely hedges up my path. If 
we were married to missionaries I suppose we could 
go. But I do not believe God is making us wait for 
that.” 

“No,” replied Cleora; “he is fittiiig us for our 
work. All our varied home mission efforts will pre- 
pare us the better to labor in the foreign field.” 

“Young ladies,” interrupted Mrs. Doremus, “allow 
me to introduce to yon a }’oung gentleman yonder, 
coming down from the deck, who is studjdng to be a 
missionar}\ I find him very lielpful in ni}^ work. 
This way, Mr. Litchfield, please. Miss Kilburne: Miss 
Lyddell.” 


CHAPTER XV. 


SUPPLYING AND CANDIDATING. 

T he hour for the sailing of. the steamer had 
arrived, and Llewellyn had no opportunity 
aboard to more than pass the introductoiy com- 
pliments with the two young ladies. The depart- 
ing missionaries Avere the centre of all interest. 
Some tears Avere shed, but behind them Avere 
happy faces and grateful hearts. 

O, my son ! ” said the mother of the youngest 
missionary brother, as perhaps for the last time 
she infolded him Avith her loving arms, “ do not 
mistake these tears. They are tears of joy. You 
are my. only child ; but God gave his only 
Beloved to me, and gladly I give you to him.” 

“ In ten minutes the gang-plank Avill be drawn ! ” 
shouted the steAvard. 

‘‘ That Avill give us just time,” said Mrs. Dore- 
mus, ‘‘ for two verses of a parting hymn*. Miss 
Lyddell, there is a piano behind you. You must 
know the missionary chant ; and Mr. Litchfield 
and Miss Kilburne Avill help you in leading 
us.” 

Ill a moment; the busy saloon became a 

1G9 


170 


SELF-GIVING, 


sanctuary. The captain, passing through, stopped, 
and reverently uncovered Ids liead. Steward and 
waiters followed his example. The whole scene 
was eloquent of Cliristian consecration. Never 
were those lines of Mrs. Yoke’s sung more ten- 
derly : 


Ye Cliristian heralds, go, proclaim 
Salvation through Iinmaniiel’s name; 

To distant climes the tidings bear, 

And plant the rose of Sharon there. 

And when jmur labors all are o’er, 

Then w^e shall meet to part no more; 

Meet with the blood-bought throng, to fall, 

And crown our Jesus Lord of all. 

Not another word was spoken, and in a few 
moments the group of friends upon the farthermost 
end of tlie pier were watching the fast receding 
forms of the missionaries, wlio had gathered upon 
the liurricane deck. 

‘‘Ladies,” said Llewellyn, when he noticed tliey 
were talking with each other as if arranging 
for going, “ I beg your delay a moment, while 
I say to you what I have had on m^^ lips from 
the moment of our introduction in the saloon. 
I wish to thank Mr. Kilburne of Chicago, through 
his daughter, for the generous fund b}^ which 
chiefly I am supported in preparing to be a 
missionary. And I desire also to express my 
gratitude to Miss Lyddell, whose face I remem- 
ber in the army, for your care of my brother in 


SUPPLYING AND CANDIDATING, 


171 


the hospital, and especially for your words, which 
were blessed to his conversion.” 

Father will be glad to know of the pleasant 
impression I have received from his beneticiary,” 
replied Margaret. And Cleora added : 

“ I felt very grateful for the privilege of talk- 
ing with your brother upon religion before his 
death.” 

“ Providentially I came across him on the battle- 
field just as his 3'oung life was ebbing away, and 
your name. Miss Lyddell, and those of his mother 
and Saviour, were the last on his lips.” 

“That theological student,” observed Cleora to 
Margaret after they were seated in i\lr. Fletcher’s 
carriage, “ evidently knows nothing of how I saved 
his life when he was about to be hung by the con- 
federates as a spy. You remember I wrote you 
about it.” 

“ O, 3'es ! but I laid forgotten the name if, 
indeed, you mentioned it. I think it is quite too 
bad that he should remain unacquainted with 
this probably the most interesting fact in his 
record. He could not help falling in love with 
you.” 

“If ever I am loved, I want to be loved for 
my own sake, and not for any casual service I 
may have rendered a gentleman in aii}^ great 
extremity. Besides, I could see that Mr. Litch- 
field was much more interested in vou than in 

%/ 

me, in which he showed good sense, for your 
plain travelling-dress makes you present a much 


172 


SELF-GIVING. 


more suitable appearance for a missionary candi- 
date tlian all this silk and velvet and lace which 
father and mother have piled upon me. Then 
he knows where you live — spoke of it, you re- 
member — but neitlier knows nor cares about mv 
address. O, he will turn up in Chicago before 
he graduates, and ask you to go with liim as a 
missionary to the heathen ! ” 

‘‘Then as I must start on m3" return West 
to-morrow, and can spend only this afternoon 
and evening with you, wh}" did 3"ou not invite 
him to call upon us? If there is so certainly 
to be a courtship, I do not wish to h^ive it 
completed, you know, too quickl3^” 

“I desired to visit as much as possible with 
3"ou, and did not intend to be selfish. I am 
rsalh^ Sony now, that I was not more thoughtful 
for 3’our sake.” ^ 

Several weeks passed, during which Cleora 
became deepl}^ interested in the welfare of a 
mission, whose chapel was a little below Forty- 
second street, on Eighth avenue. After attend- 
ing the Fifth Avenue Church every Sunday 
morning with her cousins, she went to the chapel 
in the afternoon, and often again in the evening, 
when she could find compaii}". She took no class 
permanently in the Sunda}^-school, which was before 
the preaching service, but was alwaj^s ready to be 
a substitute ; and to man}^ an evening meeting she 
went, not onlv with lier escort, but with aban- 
doned sisters she had searclied for in the ad vane- 


SUPPLYING AND CANDIDATING, 


173 


iiig sliadows of the night, upon the neigliboring 
streets. 

One afternoon she was surprised and pleased 
to see Mr. Litchfield occupying the chapel 
piilnit. 

The text was Galatians i. — part of 4. — “ Who 
gave himself.” 

It was not a strained effort at analysis ; not a 
parade of theological class-room theories ; not a 

manifestation of anxiety lest he should he classi- 

%/ 

fied among common preacliers and evangelists. In a 
simple story Christ’s giving of himself was por- 
tra}"ed, and all in the various relations of life were 
encouraged to follow liis example. Several such 
plans of a sermon might be constructed before 
breakfast, but behind the story there was such au 
appreciation ; and then so evidently the speaker 
was possessed of the spirit of consecration he was 
urging on others, that Cleora was -greatly edified. 

Her enthusiastic report to her cousins induced 
them to accompany her in the evening. Mr. 
Litchfield had given notice that, as it was the first 
Sunday of the month, when at the evening ser- 
vice many congregations considered the subject of 
missions, he would take occasion to give some 
description of the China field, with which he had 
become personally acquainted. 

Cleora was deeply interested in the subject, 
and the more so because she saw that Mr. and 
Mrs. Fletcher were giving the most wrapped 
attention. 


174 


SELF-GIVING, 


As the address closed, and a half-hour of 
social prayer for the cause of world-evangeliza- 
tion was introduced, Mr. Fletcher whispered to 
Cleora: 

‘Mf missions to the» ]ieathen liad ever before 
been presented to me in that way, I should have 
been a believer in them. That young man knows 
about wliat he has been talking.” 

Again he whispered to her, while they were 
singing, ‘‘ I shall invite this }^oung man to my 
house to spend the evening, and soon — while you 
are with us, if you have no objection.” 

The invitation was accepted for the following 
Wednesda}^ evening, and it passed very pleasantly 
to all the company. Mr. Fletcher drew out Llew- 
ellyn upon the social and political and religious 
condition of China, and he in turn inquired of 
Miss Lyddell many things regarding Japan. To 
both Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher it was a novel expe- 
rience to see through two pairs of bright ej^es into 
the manners and customs of foreign populations, 
and to take all bearings of thought from the 
standpoint of Christian enterprise. 

“ Really, l\Ir. Litchfield,” observed the former, 
‘‘ I did not appreciate how interestii^g a subject is 
foreign missions. I have been a great reader of 
newspapers and of books of foreign travel, but 
have never used the evangelization-key to unlock 
the treasures of thought which their facts con- 
tain.” 

Nor did I,” replied Llewellyn, “ until after I 


SUPPLYING AND CANBIDATING. 


175 


had visited South America and Africa, and had 
been several mouths in China. Then, in the 
providence of God, suddenly the history and pass- 
ing events of the heathen world took on new 
meaning for me. I saw * that the grand move- 
ments were in preparation for Christianity ; that 
the fact of a few missionaries here and there 
was by no means all of God’s dealing with a 
thousand millions of our fallen race, and that 
all merely political and commercial consideration 
of the lands beyond Christendom is at the best 
superficial and unreliable.” 

‘‘And in Japan,” added Miss Lyddell, “I came 
to see very clearly, that the cause of Christ is the 
real solution of the great revolution there in 
progress. The power behind the wonderful move- 
ments of late in that country originates evidently 
neither from the people themselves nor from the 
Western iiations.” 

“ But are you quite sure, cousin Cleora,” 
inquired Mr. Fletcher, “ that your wish has not 
been father to the thought, and that you have not 
imposed your emphatic views of divine providence 
upon all the facts you have met in foreisrn 
travel?” 

“ I think not, cousin Edward. I had not, when 
I went to Japan, any of that hostility to missions 
of which Mr. Litchfield has confessed ; the rather 
I was strongly drawn toward the missionaries and 
their work. And yet not for months did I think 
of them as doing more than each taking a few 


176 


SELF-GIVING. 


sliovels-full of earth awav from a mountain. But 
at last I saw the mountain sliakin.^ ; and I asked, 
What does this mean ? I saw crreat national events 

O 

taking place, to which the mission work was but 
incidental, and yet in many ways combining to 
tlie overthrow of idolatry and superstition, and 
to preparation for the Gospel, and I could not 
help reading the lesson of an all-over-ruling Provi- 
dence.” 

“ Why, cousin Cleora, you preach as well as Mr. 
Litchfield. I should think you ought to be a 
missionary, but for the irresistible claims which 
Boston society has made upon you.” 

‘‘ Ha, ha ! It would be amusing indeed,” 
exclaimed Mrs. Fletcher, to see the belle of 
Beacon Hill leaving her palatial home, and car- 
riages, and servants, and the most cultured society 
in America, and going to live among heathen ! ” 
- My dear,” responded her husband, “ I should 
hardly say ‘ amusing.’ It would be a most 

impressive exhibition of Christian consecration ; 
one, however, which I should never expect to see, 
and which of course our cousin cannot be called 
upon to make.” 

Cleora was a little embarrassed at the direction 
of the conversation. While ready to express her- 
self upon the general subject without reserve, and 
also to show the most cordial interest in the young 
theological student's pin'pose in life, she could not 
consent to acknowledge in /lis presence the clierislr- 
ing of the same hope for mission work. 


SUPPLYING AND CANBIDATING. 


177 


“ You doubtless remember, Mr. Litchfield, my 
friend Miss Kilburiie, who was with me on the 
steamer?” 

“ O, yes; and I beg pardon for not having 
inquired after her before. I presume slie has 
returned to Chicago.” 

‘‘1 wish she could have heard you last Sunday, 
and been here this evening. She has a very 
strong desire to go as a missionary to the 
heathen.” 

I think she would make an excellent mission- 

ary. 

•/ 

“ O, yes, Mr. Litchfield ; I am sure T never 
met one better qualified by nature, by grace, and 
by experience.” 

“ I have heard. Miss Lyddell, that her father has 
lost his property, so that the responsibilities of 
wealth do not lie in her way of going to the 
mission -field.” 

"" The trial has greatly developed her woman- 
hood and Christian character. Nothing would 
delight me more than to see her off as one of a 
good missionary party for Chim^or India.” 

I am to visit Chicago in a few weeks ; a 
friend has offered me a pass ; and I will do 
myself the honor of calling on her. It will be 
very pleasant to be acquainted with you both.” 


CHAPTER XVI. 


WASHINGTON OR AGRA ? 

O N Margaret Kilburne’s return to Chicago, 
her train was snowed in between Cleveland 
and Toledo. P^or six hours a large force of men 
was engaged in shovelling through a drift of 
half a mile in length. Meanwhile the passengers 
had opportunity of forming many new acquaint- 
ances, as not only time hung heavily upon tlieir 
hands, but the question of food became important, 
and the gentlemen waded through to the neigh- 
boring farmhouses in quest of a supply for the 
ladies and themselves. 

In the seat directly in front of Margaret, sat 
General Walter Loughridge of Chicago, and his 
inotlier. 

‘‘ If the un^ff^companied lady behind us will- 
permit me,” said the General as he buttoned his 
great overcoat to start out on his foraging expe- 
dition, I will see what I can raise in tlie eat- 
able line for her also.” 

Indeed, thank 3^11, sir,” replied Margaret ; ‘‘ I 

am beginning to realize that appetite is very 
jealous of its privileges.” 

178 


WASHINGTON OR AGRA? 


179 


While he was gone, the venerable lady engaged 
Margaret in animated conversation; learned that 
she was the daughter of her old friend and 
neighbor, Mrs. Kilburne, and that she had been 

to New York to see one of her pupils, recently 

married, sail as a missionary. 

O, Walter,” she exclaimed, as at last he returned 
from a mile’s tramp, loaded with bundles of but- 
tered bread, and of doughnuts and mince pies, 
‘^do you not recognize Margaret Kilburne?” 

“ Really ; I beg a thousand pardons. Miss Kil- 
burne. It is several years since we met, but 

you are indeed the same as when the shining 
light of Michigan Avenue society, onl}^ you are 
more mature.” 

“ I have passed through, a great deal of expe- 
rience in the last few years, but have not for- 
gotten the young gentlemanly lawyer whose 
courtesies were often after the pattern of this 
bountiful feast.’ 

A little over a year ago I came very near 
enjoying the opportunity of renewing my acquaint- 
ance with you.” 

“Indeed; how was that. General Loughridge ? ” 
“ While I was in an army hospital, after being 
wounded, a Miss Lyddell of the Massachusetts 
Relief Agency, very kindly read to me the papers, 
and also a book which you had written. She 
said she knew the authoress well, and at my 
request, wrote your address in my note-book. 
But unfortunately, I lost it.” 


180 


SELF^GIVIN^G. 


This was truth, but by uo rue ns all tlje 
truth. Margaret did not, of course, express 
herself, but she thought correctly, that if he had 
cared very luuch to meet her ou the occasion 
of that book and old acquaintanceship, he could 
have found her. He was a man of the world, 
honest, able and successful. Tlie pious little book 
held his attention only Avhile he was a helpless 
invalid, and lying close to the gates of death. 
As he recovered, he forgot liis secret promises 
to himself and to his God. All his relis^-ious 
purposes vanished, and he went to church only 
as his mother^s escort. 

But Margaret pleased him. It detracted nothing 
fi'om lier in his estimation that her father had 
lost all his property. She was intelligent, beauti- 
ful, and accomplished as a writer and a singer. 
He had read and admired many of her contribu- 
tions to the papers, and he had often heard of 
the sweetness and power of her soprano voice. 
This, however, was not acknowledged, for it did 
not quite tally with l]is alleged difficulty in 
finding her on account of the loss of his note- 
book. 

With her personal charms, however, he was 
now very much impressed, and during the 
remainder of the waiting and the journey, he found 
many words and wa}"s with which to express 
very agreeably to Margaret his high appreciation 
of her womanly qualities. 

Only once did the conversation become trying. 


WASHINGTON OR AGRA? 


181 


and tliat when referring to the missionaries who 
had sailed, he remarked ; 

“ I presume they have gone to better their 
condition. That is the business of everybody I 
have ever met in this world.” 

“ Was that your business when you went into 
the army, General ? ” replied Margaret. Did you 
leave your elegant home, and brilliant society, and 
large growing legal practice, to better your con- 
dition, when you put yourself before the enemy's 
bullets and into the malarious swamps and hospi- 
tals ? ’ 

‘‘ Mother, she has me as sure as you live. I 
never was answered better in court.” 

“I am always glad,'’ continued Margaret, “to 
be the means of removing any of the popular 
misapprehensions regarding missionaries. But the 
task is too great a one for any mere informer. 
The difficulty is deep-seated. Missions are Cliris- 
tianit}^’s most Christ-like expression, and as long 
as Christ finds opposition in the natural heart, so 
long will missions be opposed and defamed.” 

“ Very true. Miss Kilburne, I must candidly 
acknowledge. But if you were a lawyer, and had 
had as much business with mission-people as I 
have had, you would largely excuse me. Some 
years ago I had a missionary client wlio inherited 
two thousand dollars, which I collected for him. 
Then, as he was away off in South Africa, I 
invested it for him in a little piece of ground 
in Chicago, down by the water. Well, the 


182 


SELF-GIVING, 


improvements in the river have deposited a great 
deal of sediment in the shallow water off this 
piece of property, and the missionary could sell 
out to-day for ten thousand dollars.” 

“ O, I am so glad for him ! ” exclaimed Mar- 
garet. 

^‘No doubt, Miss Kilburne ; but you are dif- 
ferent from the rest of them. I cannot tell you 
how many times the secretary and members of 
the executive committee of his society liave been 
mousing around me for information. It is none of 
their business, and goes to show what I have 
long thought, that they are a close-fisted, relig- 
ious ring which has sat down upon missionaries 
and churches.” 

“ I should not argue in that way, General 
Loughridge. Business men, I have heard, try to 
learn all about the financial standing of those 
with whom they have dealings. I presume you 
have in some secret drawer of your own office, 
commercial agency books, which give mone}ed 
particulars concerning thousands of people. All 
this information is gained by interested parties 
going around and incidentally asking a great many 
questions. Are you, therefore, a part of a ring, 
acting unjustly and cruelly toward anybody?” 

‘‘ Come, Walter, my son,” interrupted the old 
lady, “you are no match for jNIiss Kilburne on 
missionary and religious subjects.” 

‘'That is so, mother; but I enjoy such whip- 
ping from so fair a hand. I wish Miss Kilburne 


WASHINGTON OR AGRA ? 


183 


would let me call upon her from time to time, 
to sharpen up my wits for the bar and the political 
platform. She is the most skilled person I ever 
met m the argumentum ad hominem."' 

“If I could make a convert to missions, Gen- 
eral Loughridge, of one of so large influence as 
yourself, I should feel as if my time could 
hardl}^ be more profitably spent.” 

Months passed. Many times Margaret’s busy and 
somewhat humdrum life was varied by calls from 
the handsome and distinguished lawyer. He 
brouglit his speeches for her to revise, and slie 
read him her contributions to the press, and botli 
found each other’s criticisms useful. For recreation 
he frequently played accompaniments upon .•the 
piano, while she sang. But conversation monopo- 
lized the larger part of their interviews ; not aim- 
less, dreary words of gossip and fashion ; brains 
.worked as well as mouths. They threw away no 
time discussing anybody’s dress, or peculiarities, or 
fortunes, after the common idiotic style among 
airy people. But they compared notes upon litera- 
ture, science and art ; discussed the great social 
and political questions of the day, for Margaret 
kept posted in the papers, thinking it more impor- 
tant for her to know what was occurring in Con- 
gress or in diplomacy, tliau what was the newest 
stitch in fancy-work or the latest importation in 
dress from the Parisian demi-mode ; and occasion- 
ally they fell into conversation upon religious 
and missionary themes, though not as often as 


184 


SELF-GIVING. 


Margaret desired, for her company was evidently 
reluctant to dwell upon such subjects. 

She watched with great interest the progress 
made by the General and his political friends in 
the heated canvass for United States Senator 
from Illinois. Anonymously, she wrote several 
articles in support of his candidature, which, liow- 
ever, he detected as reproducing some of the 
expressions she had used in their conversations. 
He promised to inform lier immediately of the 
result of the* balloting at Springfield, wliere by 
telegraph he was in constant communication with 
the State-leaders of his party. 

‘‘ Elected, Miss Kilbunie ; I have called for 
you^’ congratulations ! was the early evening 
greeting of United States Senator Loughridge, as 
he arose in the little waiting-room of the board- 
ing-house to meet Margaret, who had come down 
quickly at his familiar summons. 

“ Then I must bend very low in the presence of 
such exalted dignity. General of the United States 
Army, and United States Senator from lUinois.’’ 
‘‘ But I am not satisfied ; I have still higher 
aspirations.” 

‘‘What! wanting to be President already ” 

A knock at the door, and the house-boy handed 
in a letter for Margaret, that moment left by the 
postman. 

“ Please read your letter, Miss Kilburne, for it 
may have important news for you.’’ 

“ l^es ; I see it is very important, Mk. Senator. 


WASHINGTON OR AGRA? 


185 


Very short. It simply notifies me from the Women’s 
Union Missionary Society, that I am appointed 
its missionary to commence a Zenana mission-work 
as soon as practicable in Agra, Nortli India.” 
“Nonsense, Miss Kilburne I It is the greatest 
piece of absurdity of which I ever heard ! I beg 
of you to give me the right to answer that 
letter.” 

“ How ? ” 

“ By accepting my heart and my Iiand. I wish 
you to go with me as Mrs. Loughridge to Wash- 
ington. Will you not?” 

Visions of Washington and of Agra floated 
before the bewildered mind of Margaret. She 
was asked to be one of the first ladies of the 
land, and by one she esteemed most highly, and 
could love with all her heart. Never a nobler 
man by nature than he, whose hands now clasped 
her own. But these years her Divine master had 
been calling her to missionary life, and preparing 
her for the service, and at last the door of oppor- 
tunity opens. On the one side a husband, honor, 
wealth, society; on the other disgusting heathenism, 
retirement, poverty, discomfort, and perhaps an early 
death. Which In her furnace she felt as if she 
could see another like unto the Son of Man. 

“ Not for the heathen, but for me, FOR ME, I 
ask this sacrifice,” Christ seemed to say to her. 
And in- full view of the pierced hands and feet 
and side, she quickly and firmly decided. 

“Senator Loughridge, I cannot be your wife. 
My duty to Christ is to be a missionary to the 


186 


SELF-GIVING. 


heathen. He calls me, and I must go, even 
if I never reach heathen shores, and am buried 
at sea. Besides, I question my right as a 
Christian to consent.” 

“Is your decision irrevocable. Miss Kilburfie? 
I beg of you to reconsider it.” 

“ Irrevocable, General Lougliridge ; and I pray 
God in all my weakness that I may be firm. 
Please now excuse me.” 

Margaret’s letter of acceptance of the missionary 
appointment was written tliat evening to the rooms 
in New York, and when she returned from mailing 
it upon the adjoining street, she found a visiting 
card with regrets from Llewellyn Litchfield. 


CHAPTER XVII. 


THE DUKE OF TRAFALGAe’s SON. 

T he great social event in Boston of the winter 
of 1865-66, was a protracted visit from a 
young English nobleman. ' He was neither duke, 
marquis, earl, viscount or baron, and being only 
the second son of the duke of Trafalgar, it was 
not certain he could ever rank among these five 
orders of Great Britain’s nobility ; but no family 
in all the realm, excepting royalty and that of 
• the duke of Argyle, occupies so high a social 
position, and this was quite sufficient in American 
judgment to qualify the English visitor to be 
lionized among the elite of Beacon Hill. 

None upon this democratic side of the great 
waters cared to trace the }"oung nobleman’s lineage 
back to his earliest ancestry, though many in 
the British Isles know more about his genealogy 
than of the geography of the United States, or of 
our common school system, or of the relation 
among us between Church and State. Many there 
could tell how one representative of the Trafalgar 
family was Sir Robert Peel’s chief adviser ; how 
another restored Pitt to power, and how another 

187 


SELF-GJVING. 


^188 

commanded a frigate at the destruction of tlie 
Spanish armada. They could relate how a Trafalgar 
sent Wolsey to disgrace and death ; how another was 
prominent in the wars of the White and Red Roses, 
and how another still under Edward the Third, 
secured the refusal of the annual tribute to Rome, 
re-demanded by Urban. Nor would they forget 
that a Trafalgar was one of the barons who ex- 
torted Magna Charta at Runnymede ; that another 
fell at Hastings, and tliat the first known chief- 
tain of this name commanded under Alfred at the 
battle of Ethandune. 

Even the Bostonians did not concern them- 
selves about this ancestral parade. Suffice it, they 
had an English nobleman on hand, and they made 
the most of him. 

And yet he came to America, as far as he 
knew anything of the occasion of his coming, 
simply on a business errand, and was quite 
amazed at the social excitement which his presence 
created in the Athens of the New World. 

The duke intended that this son Harold should 
be either an army officer or a clergyman, and was 
ready to buy him the former position, or to 
appoint him, if he chose, to the deanery of Oxford, 
which he controlled. But Harold was strongly 
opposed to the purchase system still prevailing at 
that time in the British army, believing that per- 
sonal qualification should be the only ground of 
preferment ; and, on tlie other hand, he had con- 
scientious scruples against entering the Christian 


THE DUKE OF TRAFALGAR S SON 


189 


ministry, witliout sucli a thoughtful and prayerful 
impression of duty as should constitute a call of 
God to the work. Society said that he was “ too 
clever ” to be a clergyman, and that therefore he 
must go into the army. 

None thoug^ht of the Duke of Trafalgar’s son 

O O 

ever engaging- in mercantile business, To several 
of his relatives it would have been almost cruel 
to have suddenly suggested any such absurd idea. 
Never had any hands in which flowed their bluest 
of blue blood touched any money-making kind of 
work. To the head of the family belonged an 
estate of one hundred and fifty thousand acres in 
the midland district, which came from marriage 
with one of the Norman chieftains of William the 
Conqueror. To receive rents and expend in the 
gayeties of London and Paris, were the only proper 
liberties for them in business transactions. 

But Harold had come to put a different esti- 
mate upon commerce. To buy and sell goods 
honestly, intelligently and industriously, seemed 
to him thoroughly becoming any gentleman, if he 
Avas thus inclined to fill -a place in the world. 
He had formed the acquaintance of several lead- 
ing merchants of London, and through them had 
met a number of Americans — self-made men,” 
who from poverty had amassed fortunes, with- 
out neglecting either education or refinement. 
Their example kindled his desire to enter into 
some kind of business; and as his father had 
settled upon him fifty thousand pounds, expecting 


190 


SELF-GIVING, 


liim to use this amount in securing high military 
position, he determined to ask permission to invest 
it in the silk trade, with a firm into which he 
had been cordially invited. 

It came very hard for the old duke to give 
his consent. He first directed his lawyers to 

learn all they could against the firm, hoping thus 
to destroy Harold’s interest in it. But they re- 
ported that there was not in all London a 

stronger and more honorable firm engaged in silk 

importation, than Edwards, Blj^thwood & Co., 
Limited, whose American correspondents were the 
well-known Lyddell, Burrows & Co. of Boston. 

When the women heard of the proposed degrada- 
tion of the family, both the light and the heavy 
brigades charged bravely upon Harold and his 
father. The duchess declared with wringing hands 
and tearful eyes, she never could again look into 
the face of Her Majesty the Queen. The daughter 
of the baron of Westminster, who liad received 
many presents from Harold, hastened to return 
them all. The marchioness of Kent recalled her 
invitation to a breakfast-party. But the* old 
duke was unusually endowed with common sense, 
and gradually he disentangled his judgment fiom 
the traditions and prejudices of his family, and 
from the social iiibecilities of otherwise intelligent 
British aristocracv, and declared: 

“Harold is nearer .right than all the rest of 
you, and he shall do as he chooses.” 

After Harold had been in business upon 


THE DUKE OF TUAFALGAW S SON. 


101 


Tbreadiieeclle street for two years, the firm 
decided to send him for an important conference 
with their correspondents in Boston. The older 
members liad all been to America, while Harold 
had never crossed the Atlantic; and, besides, 
Mr. Lyddell, who was the head of the Boston 
firm, had sent special request that if consistent, 
the 3^oung nobleman should be intrusted with the 
business, and make his home at his house while 
in Boston. 

This was really the consummation of a plan 
which Mr. Lyddell had been maturing ever since 
the* duke’s son had been admitted into the part- 
nership of Edwards, Blythwood & Co., Limited. 
Yet he never mentioned it to his wife until a few 
days before the nobleman’s arrival, from fear that 
by some indiscretion the secret purpose he was 
so fondly cherishing sliould be revealed to Cleora. 

Mrs. Lyddell was charmed by the plan and 
the prospect. It was more than she had ever 
d-reamed for her daughter. She did not question 
the possibility of Cleora resisting the charms of 
the son of a real duke. 

“ Why, Mr. Lyddell, it seems too good to be 
true , to have an eligible young nobleman of the 
Trafalgar blood a guest in our home ! Are you sure 
he is not engaged to some lady of the English court? ” 

“Yes, indeed ; or I would not have allowed 

m}^self all this trouble, proposing another branch 

% 

house in Shanghai, and a conference on the 
subject.” 


192 


SELF-GIVING, 


And you say the duke is very old and 
feeble ? ” 

“•Cannot possibly live long.” 

“And his first son is in delicate health?” 

“ I have said all that before.” 

“I know, I know; but it is so encouraging.” 
“O, you will fly away with }'our enthusiasm and 
spoil it all. This must be managed very adroitly. 
We must give him a grand reception.” 

“What must I do*^” 

“ As little -as possible. I wish you to play 
invalid, and both at his reception and all through 
his visit, throw as much as possible of the responsi- 
bility upon Cleora.” 

The nobleman came. The reception was consid- 
ered in Boston the most elegant affair of the season. 
Cleora devoted nearly all her time and energy to the 
entertainment of her fatlier’s distinguished guest. 
Other parties were given in his honor, and slie accom- 
panied him. He wished to visit Harvard University, 
and Mr. Lyddell was suddenly indisposed, so that 
Cleora had to take her fatlier’s seat in the carriage. 
One clay Mrs. Lj'ddell received a letter from Albany, 
informing her of the illness of her youngest sister, 
whereupon, eagerly, Mr. and Mrs. Lyddell seized 
the opportunity to leave the young people to them- 
selves. 

It was very evident that the nobleman was enjoy- 
ing the situation. He found that among cultured 
Americans there was quite as good society as at the 
English court. He could not ask greater elegance 


THE DUKE OF TRAFALGAR SON. 


193 


and refinement than he had met in the Lyddell man- 
sion. Particularly, he became more and more inter- 
ested in Cleora. 

And it was not her rich dresses and costly jewelry, 
with which, especially of late, her parents had per- 
sisted in decorating her ; not the ease and dignity 
with wliich she presided at his reception and escorted 
him to various entertainments ; not even her literary 
and artistic accomplishments, nor beautiful and brill- 
iant personal appearance, that particularly charmed 
Harold. He was accustomed to elegant female attire, 
to the most polished social manners, and to handsome, 
educated women. 

But Cleora, in all this glare of English and Boston 
society, did not forget her dependent poor, nor the 
Young Women’s Home, nor her class in the Mission 
Sunda}"-school, nor tlie flowers for the hospital, nor 
her Sewing-school for Poor Women. Sometimes he 
would accompany her on her beneficent errands, or 
if he was disinclined to go, it was evidently no reason 
in her mind why she should remain. He began to ' 
call her Florence Nightingale, and declared he had 
named better than lie knew, after she had related 
to him some of her experience in the army. 

One day, before the parents’ return from Albany, 
word came to the breakfast-table, that the cook had 
been suddenly taken ill, and that the housekeeper 
had not yet returned from the yesterday’s marriage 
of her sister. The butler was in a great flurry and 
volunteered the information aloud, on purpose that the 
guest also might excuse the deficiencies of the table. 


194 


SELF-GIVING. 


‘‘ O, do not be over-anxious regarding us, Jacob,” 
was Cleora’s perfectly composed reply. “ Be sure 
the doctor is called immediately to see Bridget ; and 
as to the preparations for dinner, I will endeavor to 
fill her place to-day.” 

‘‘ Allow me, Miss Lyddell,” observed the nobleman, 
‘‘ to most heartily congratulate you over your ability 
to meet yourself such a household emergency.” 

The parents on return were very much disappointed 
to learn how much more than usual of her time Cleora 
had been spending on her missionary expeditions, and 
were mortified beyond measure that the English guest 
should have known of her kitchen-employments. But 
as a matter of fact, these were the very things which 
specially interested him, and won his heart. 

“ Cleora,” said the father, one early evening, his 
face radiant with smiles and all aglow with satisfac- 
tion, ‘‘ your mother and I wish a little visit with you 
ill our room.” 

“ Now, daughter,” he said, after tlie door was 
closed and they were seated in the three large easy- 
chairs which he drew to the cheerful grate, “ we are 
ready to excuse you for having done so much outside 
missionary work ” — 

“ O, I am so glad, father ! I have hoped and prayed 
that sometime, you and mother would become heart- 
ily enlisted in the cause of self-giving for the sake of 
the poor and the needy.” 

“Ah! — ahem! That is another matter, Cleora. 
The fact is, that our distinguished guest, the Duke ot 
Trafalgar’s son, has confessed to us his special attach- 


THE DUKE OF TBAFALGAB^S SON, 


195 


ment for you, and begs our consent for him to offer 
his heart and hand to our daughter. Could any 
course be more honorable and praiseworthy ? ” 

I believe that few of Cleora’s American admir- 
ers,” observed Mrs. Lyddell, “ would have been so 
considerate of parental rights and feelings.” 

“ It will be a most admirable arrangement,” contin- 
ued Mr. Lyddell. Our liouse and the London 
liouse are virtually becoming one firm, and we shall 
desire to spend half of our time in London with you, 
and you can be a great deal here in Boston among 
vour old friends.” 

“ And how gratifying,” remarked the mother, 
that Harold should have secured the old duke’s 
permission to broach the matter with us. We saw 
the letter in which he said — ‘ voii have become a 
merchant, and I see no objection to your marrying a 
merchant’s dau2:hter.’ ” 

“ I was, however, somewhat surprised,” observed 
the father, for the young nobleman to suggest in 
such a business-like way, the matter of our daughter’s 
dowry; but I presume that is English style. I told 
him it would be a quarter of a million ; — dollars, not 
pounds.” 

‘‘Father,” interrupted Cleora, “let me 'take your 
hand ; and mother, your hand also, please. You 
both know that I love you.” 

And the tears began to trickle down the fair cheeks 
of the beautiful girl, seated between her eager parents, 
neitlier of whom, as they bent forward in wonderment, 
could comprehend the agony of Cleora’s expression. 


106 


SELF-GIVING, 


“ O, certainly, yes, daughter ! ” they replied. 

“ And I would not mar your happiness if I could 
help it.” 

‘^No, indeed,” rejoined Mr. Lyddell ; “but this 
will add to our happiness — the crowning joy of our 
lives.” 

“ Yes, d^ar girl, I know it will be hard for you to 
give up father and me, but really, it will not be giving 
us up at all.” 

“ Dear parents, God who made me and who redeemed 
me by the gift of Jesus Christ, requires me to render 
him other service than this.” 

“No doubt,” replied Mr. Lyddell. “ And the 
sphere of your opportunity to do good is to be 
enlarged.” 

“ Yes, indeed,” added the mother. “ The English 
upper classes need, I take it, a great deal of pious, 
missionary work. Besides, they say there are many 
more poor and needy people in London than in 
any other city in the world.” 

“But — I cannot, 1 cannot be the wife of this 
English nobleman.” 

Mr. Lyddell sprung to his feet in a towering 
passion, exclaiming: 

“Ungrateful child! Is this your return for all 
our care and sacrifice ? Must your pious whims 
thwart all our plans for your good ? ” 

“ But, father, it would make me supremely 
wretched to disobey my divine Master.” 

“ Fool I what is it, then, that you have deluded 
yourself into thinking he wants you to do?” 


THE DUKE OF TRAFALGAK S SON, 


197 


“ To be a missionary to tlie heatlien.” 

I ought to send you to the insane asylum ; 
that is what I ought to do!’’ 

O, our daughter will think differently of this,” 
interposed the mother, when she has had rime 
for reflection.” 

“Never! never!” was Cleora’s firm response, 
as she spoke with tearless eyes and compressed 
lips. “There are duties I owe to you, father and 
motl)er, and there are duties I owe to God. I may 
never be married. That is not necessary for the 
plan of life which the Lord has marked out for 
me. But once for all, if ever I marry, it must 
be a missionary.” 

“ Then, let me tell you what you must expect,” 
replied Mr. Lyddell in words cold and rigid as an 
iceberg ; “ I will not turn you out of this house, but 
beyond its threshold you can have none of my money. 
When you go, you may go to the dogs ! ” 

“When my father and my mother forsake me, 
then the Lord will take me up.” 

“O, confound your piety!” and Mr. L3'ddell 
slammed the door as he stamped out. And the 
mother immediately followed, leaving Cleora where 
the angels ministered unto her. 


CHAPTER XVIIL 


ACCEPTED AND REJECTED. 

I MMEDIATELY after graduation at the Theo- 
logical Seminary, Llewellyn went to Boston, 
by previous invitation and arrangement, to be 
examined by the executive committee for appoint- 
ment as a missionary to the foreign field. Already 
lie had had helpful correspondence with the rooms, 
having written the secretary fully regarding tlie 
providential way in whicli he liad been led, and 
tlie resultant purpose of his life, and having received 
from him most valuable assurances and suggestions. 
But it was still farther necessarv, in view of the 
vastness of the responsibility that must i*(‘st upon 
every missionary to the swarming millions of 
heathenism, and of the character of the trust 
placed in the rooms by thousands of home churclies, 
that the important question of Llewellyn’s qualifi- 
cations should be passed upon by all the executive 
officers of the society, after a painstaking and prayer- 
ful personal examination. 

The interview at the rooms was exceedingly 
gratifying. The examination was not of the super- 
ficial character many imagine, and Llewellyn felt 

198 


ACCEPTED AND REJECTED. 


199 


profoundly impressed with the ability and con- 
scientiousness of the men to whom Providence had 
intrusted tlie manasrement of missions. He had 
vet to learn that even these could sometimes 
forget their responsibility, and imperil the interests 
of the cause. 

The candidates’ correspondence had been with 
the home secretary, as is customary until after 
appointment, when the missionary -elect is expected 
licmceforth to commuiiicate through the foreign 
secretary. 

Llewellyn had thus already in his offer of ser- 
vice answered many questions. He had sub- 
mitted a statement of his views of Scripture 
doctrines, of his evidences of Christian character, 
and of his convictions of duty to preach the 
Gospel to the lieathen. He had given assurances 
that l)is desires took into account all the hardship, 
suffering, and peril, incurred in prosecuting the 
missionary work ; tliat he had inherited a good 
constitution, and was in perfect health, and that 
lie Iiad no near relatives to such a degree dependent 
upon him, or likely to become so, as to place him 
under obligation to provide for their support. And 
he had answered other inquiries, according to the 
manual tiie home secretary had furnished him, 
lieartily appending his assent to the rules and 
regulations of the board, and declaring there w'as 
notliing in its organization or rules, or in the 
organization or manner of conducting its missions, 
which he disapproved, or which would prevent his 


V. 


200 


SELF-GIVING, 


laboring cheerfully and happily under its direction, 
and in conformity with its regulations and those 
of the missions. 

Mr. Litchfield,” inquired the foreign secretary, 
what do you think constitutes a call to the 
foreign field ? ” 

Qualifications and the opportunity,” replied the 
candidate, “together with such a consciousness of 
the divine direction and leadership as the Holy 
Spirit is sure to give.” 

“You speak of qualifications,” remarked another 
of the executive committee of the board; “and you 
have furnished some gratifying testimonials from your 
pastor, the presidents of your college and theological 
seminary, and from two very well known laymen 
of New York, but if, nevertheless, we should differ 
from them as to the question of your qualifications, 
would you feel that you had any right to go as an 
independent missionary to any of the fields specially 
under our supervision ? ” 

“No, sir. My duty would be either to stay at 
home, or to go somewhere else where I would 
not be an interloper.” 

“By what do you expect to be controlled?” 

“ By a single-hearted, self-sacrificing devotion to 
Christ and liis cause.” 

“]\lr. Litchfield,” inquired one of the most 
thoughtful of the committee, “do you expect us 
to send you forth and support you?” 

Llewellyn thought a minute. As the full mean- 
ing of the inquiry dawned upon him, he responded : 


ACCEPTED AND REJECTED. 


201 


“O, no indeed, sir ! My missionary work is to 
be tlie discharge of an individual and personal obli- 
gation. You and the churches are only my helpers 
to carry out the purpose of my own independent self- 
consecration. Christ sends me, and we cooperate in 
the endeavor to prosecute his work.'’ 

“You do n.ot then, Mr. Litchfield,'’ continued 
the same examiner, “ consider the missionary’s 
salary as, in any proper sense, a compensation for 
labor performed ? ” 

“The salary you may vote me is simply your 
grant in aid — your cooperation in my mission 
work. Compensation for this service I will find 
in the privilege of preaching Clirist among the 
heathen, and in the conscious presence and appro- 
bation of my divine Master.” 

Llewellyn was heartily accepted. But now arose 
the question of his designation to a particular mis- 
sion field, and in his case this involved no small 
difficulty. He wished to go to China, and to the 
North, where the Mandarin is spoken, with which 
he had become partly familiar.' 

But the foreign secretary explained : 

“We do not desire that Mr. Litchfield should 
go where he cannot labor cheerfully, and in 
accordance with his own convictions of duty and 
privilege. But our most pressing field at this 
time is North India. The executive officers are 
unanimous that our next appointment should be 
to the new station to be opened in Agra. There 
is where, we believe, all things considered, Mr. 


202 


SELF-GIVING. 


Litchfield may hope for the largest possible ser- 
vice to the cause of Christ.” 

‘‘But, friends,” interposed Llewellyn, “is my 
year’s study of the Chinese to count for noth- 
ing ? ” 

“ O, by no means,” replied the foreign secre- 
tary ; “ that will serve 3^011 along the line of 3^our 
previous Latin and German studies. In some 
respects it will be even more lielpful to }^ou in 
acquiring a knowledge of the Hindi, and of the 
Urdu or Hindustani. Besides, we understand that 
your special attention to the Mandarin was merel}' 
with diplomatic service, and business in view, and 
therefore in the line of 3^0111* work, it cannot 
justl3^ be counted for more than six months of usual 
missionary endeavor to acquire a language. W e 
hope tliat 3^ou will see the way to yield cheer- 
full3^ to our judgment in the matter of 3^0 nr 
designation.” 

“ Most surel3^ I do thus yield,” was Llewelhm’s 
prompt repl3^ “ It is for the time a disappoint- 
ment to me, and yet undoubtedl3^ for tlie best. 
You officers occup3^ a central position with regard 
to the whole field. You correspond with all ; 3’ou 
know the condition and demands of all. None 
can judge as well as 3^011 of the relative claims 
of the several missions and mission fields But 
upon another subject also,” he continued, “I would 
like to defer to 3^0111' judgment. Ma3^ I, in farther 
preparation, spend a few months now attending 
medical lectures ? ” 


ACCEPTED AND REJECTED. 


203 


“ In ordinary cases,” replied the foreign secre- 
tary, ‘‘ the experience of the committee has led 
them to question the expediency of such delay, even 
as of a ph^’siciau to pursue the study of theolog}^ 
It is desirable that you have more than the ordi- 
nary acquaintance with the laws of health, and 
the remedies for disease, but this is a matter to 
be anticipated and made to guide }’our incidental 
studies and • readings for years before seminary 
graduation.’^ 

I think,” interposed the home secretary, ‘Hhat 
another question we have not asked Mr. Litchfield 
may help us to decide as to his suggested post- 
graduate course. It is very important for us to 
know whether lie is under engagement, express or 
implied, with view to marriage.” 
am not.” 

‘‘ O, then,” was tlie reply, “we would advise 
the delay you suggest. It will give you time to 
attend also to this matter. We all consider it 
very desirable tliat a male missionary should be 
married. The exceptions are rare. We hope that 
you will give the subject of marriage your prompt, 
earnest, and prayerful attention.” 

When Llewellyn returned to his room at the 
Revere House, it was to enter upon a new expe- 
rience. He had been brought face to face with 
the most important social duty of life. Senti- 
mental dreams could be indulged in no longer. 
His heart must now be thrust out, as Noah 
thrust out the dove from the ark, to find a 


204 


SELF-GIVING. 


resting place somewhere. Whom of his 3’onng 
lady acquaintances could he love better tlian his 
own life? Who of those he knew would even 

be willing to accept his offer, and to undertake 

with liijn the far-off, lonely work of a missionary 
among the heathen? Who? But one name was 
continually arising before his mind. But one 

person seemed to live in the home of his 
Utopia. Again and again he would crush liis 

most tender and holy sensibilities, and turn from 
her as from an utter impossibility ; but it was 
only for the vision to reappear more beautiful and 
entrancing than ever. 

‘‘O, God!” he exclaimed, as he sank upon his 
knees,- ‘Gf this is not from thee, help me to 
escape ! ” 

But he could not escape. It must be, then, in 

some wav that Cleora Lvddell could become his. 

*/ 

Olher mountains of impossibility had been removed 
fi-om before him ; perhaps this might. Anyway, he 
determined to call upon her that evening, to see 
if she was the same earnest Christian, the same 
sensible, companionable and healthy woman, and the 
same enthusiastic lover of foreign missions, as when 
he spent that happiest evening of his life with her a 
few months before at tlie Fletcher mansion in New 
York. 

Cleora received Llewellyn with real sisterly cor- 
diality. His object in coming to Bostom at once in- 
troduced the subject, so welcome to both, of foreign 


missions. 


ACCEPTED AND REJECTED. 


205 


Llewellyn found lier better read than himself in 
current missionary literature. She took the monthly 
periodicals of the leading societies, and read them 
too, wliich is more than many subscribers can say. 
Concerning several of the fields she had fresh 
information for him, and particularly with regard 
to North India. 

“ Then you think. Miss Lj^ddell, that I should 
be thoroughly reconciled to the disappointment of 
not being located in China ? ” 

‘‘Yes, indeed. China is a great field, but India 
has some special claims. There are not only 
millions unevangelized, but also a vast educational 
and missionary machinery needing readjustment 
and utilizing. I really believe, Mr. Litchfield, 
that the heathen world presents no louder call 
to-day than for American missionary enterprise in 
India.” 

It was evident that Cleora had thought as well 
as read, and therein largely was the secret of her 
continued reading and glowing interest. 

Llewellyn was frequently surprised during the 
evening's conversation, at her wide range of in- 
formation, her wise reflections, and at the com- 
pleteness with which she was filled with the 
missionary spirit. 

“ YoU' — ought — to — be — a — missionary — your- 
self, Miss Lyddell,” observed Llewellyn, his hesi- 
tating speech and flushed face telling more than 
he meant. 

“ O, sir ! the home land also needs those who 


206 


SELFQTVTNG. 


are acquainted with the work, and deeply inter- 
ested ill all that concerns it.” 

“True, Miss Lyddell; but would it be right for 
me to apply that argument to myself as an excuse 
for my staying at home ? ” 

“You, sir, CAN go; but for me it seems yet 
quite impossible.” 

“ O, I am glad, Miss L3nldell, to hear that 
little word ‘yet.’ It means that you entertain the 
thought of sometime going. It means that you 
would have God’s hand remove mountains which 
are in the wa y. It means — I beg your pardon, 
M iss Lyddell,” exclaimed Llewellyn, looking con- 
fusedly at his watch and rising. “ I did not 
know that it was so late.” 

They did not separate quite as promptly and 
formally as both intended. Their hands lingered 
in each other’s clasp an instant longer than was 
necessary for a polite good-evening. 

“ Miss Lyddell, I heartily wish that you were 
not the princess of this palatial home.” 

“ What ! not wish me with all these pretty 
things with which to entertain gentlemen ! I 
thought you appreciated paintings and statuary.” 
“ I care more for the jewel than its cumbrous 
setting. May I do myself the pleasure of calling 
upon you to-morrow evening?” 

“ Certainly ; but I thought you were intending 
to start for New ‘York in the morning.” 

“ My heart will not let me. It is anchored 
here. Good-night ! ” 


ACCEPTED AND REJECTED. 


207 


“ Good-niglit ! 

At ten o’clock the next morning Llewellyn was 
ill the counting-room of Lycldell, Burrows & Co., 
Washington street, waiting anxiously for a private 
interview with the senior partner. 

‘‘ And now if you please, young gentleman.” 

‘‘ Here are my credentials, sir ; one from the 
President of the Manhattan Theological Seminary, 
where I graduated last week, and” — 

‘‘Ah! that will do. Business, please?” 

“I liave been accepted as a missionary to India, 
as these papers will show you ” — 

“Good ! Noble calling for those who can go. 
But some of us have to stay at home and support 
you. All one work, you know. Will fifty dollars 
from me be enough to help you in getting off 
now ? ” 

“ Mr. Lyddell, I am acquainted with your 
daughter.” 

“Indeed! Then of course she takes a special 
interest in your going. For her sake I will 
make it a hundred, and will let you have the 
check immediately, for I am veiy busy.” 

“ Mr. Lyddell, I do not wish your money, but 
your permission to become more than acquainted 
with your daughter.” 

“What, sir! Are you an idiot, sir? Do you 
not see that nothing could be more absurd ? ” 

“ I would give my life for her.” 

“ Leave, sir, instantly ! and never dare to show 
yourself in my home, or in my presence again ! ” 


t 


CHAPTER XIX. 

RESCUED AND BETROTHED. 

U TTERLY bewildered by the refusal and dis- 
missal he had received at the hands of Mr. 
Lyddell, Llewellyn walked back and forth, he hardly 
knew where, until he found himself strolling along 
tlie shady paths of Boston Common. The old Park 
Street Church clock struck noon, and one, and two, 
before the pedestrian became conscious of weariness, 
and looked for a seat to rest. 

The oidy one unoccupied in sight had drawn 
the attention of another at the same time, and, 
as the two gentlemen seated themselves at the two 
ends of the bench, it was with a half-realized, 
mutual recognitior. 

I almost recall your face, stranger,” said Llewellyn 
to the tall, middle-aged, well-dressed gentleman by 
his side ; ‘‘ only I cannot associate with it your arm- 
less sleeve.” 

“ O, I lost this late in the war, sir ! You saw 
me before the misfortune. Yet, if I mistake not, 
I met 3^ou when you came near losing what is 
more valuable than an arm.” 

Were you the Confederate captain who pre- 

20S 



On Boston Common 



RESCUED AND BETROTHED, 


209 


sided as my court-martial when I was tried as a 
sp}’', and condemned to be hung?” 

‘‘Yes, sir; I think I was, if your name is 
Litchfield. The other part of your name I remem- 
ber I could not spell. It had several I’s and w’s 
all strung together in perfect confusion.” 

“Llewellyn, was it not?” 

“ That is it ; and I never saw a man come 
nearer being hanged than you. Of course I am 
glad you escaped, and we were saved from exe- 
cuting an innocent man. But war is war, and 
the circumstantial evidence seemed verv conclusive 
against you.” 

“ I never understood how it was that I was so 
suddenly turned from what had been erected as my 
gallows, and hurried across the lines under a flag 
of truce.” 

“Well, sir, over on that hill yonder, in one of 
tliose grand houses, lives the young lady who saved 
your life.” 

“How was it? And what is her name? I can- 
not tell you how impatient I am to know all.” 

And then Captain Jackson, of Atlanta, Ga., 
gave the full account of how a Miss Cleora Lyd- 
dell of Boston had been taken prisoner, tempora- 
rily, and by lier own choice ; how thut she was 
seated in front of General and Mrs. Stone’s tent 
when the supposed spy was being led past to exe- 
cution ; and how her fortunate recognition of him 
as one of the delegates of the Christian Commis- 
sion, caused the general to countermand orders, and 


210 


SELF-GIVING. 


to direct that he be sent over immediately to the 
Union side. 

‘‘ You have no doubt, captain, that you liave 
the name correctly ? — that it was Miss Cleora 
Lyddell ? ” 

no, indeed! I passed several very pleas- 
ant hours with her at our headquarters before her 
return to her hospital work on your side. And 
then, since the war, being in the silk business at 
Atlanta, and having large dealings with Lyddell, 
Burrows & Co., of this city, I have become well 
acquainted with her father and mother, and have 
repeatedly met them all at their house. Indeed, my 
wife and I are to dine with them this afternoon 
at six o’clock.” 

as Miss Lyddell ever referred to this 
incident?” 

‘‘Yes, every time. And she has told me about 
you, and your studying to become a missionary ; 
and the enthusiastic way she has gone on talking 
of you and your proposed life work, when we have 
been alone, together with her blank silence on the 
subject ill the presence of her parents, has led me 
to infer that she has a regard for you which she 
knows they would not countenance.*” 

“I believe you are right, captain, and I think 
I may venture to tell you a story of this morn- 
ing, and then to beg you to take from me a verbal 
message this afternoon to Miss Cleora.” 

Llewellyn explained all. Not only the circum- 
stances prompted the confidence, but there was such 


RESCUED AND BETBOTEIED. 


211 


manliness, and sincerity, and intelligence in the face 
and bearing of Captain Jackson, that the sorrowful 
and bewildered young man felt that in the provi- 
dence of (jod he had found a friend. 

‘‘At least then, captain, tell her I am compelled 
to forego the pleasure of meeting her this even- 
ing. Perhaps you better not give the reason. Do 
not explain all. I wish to do it sometime myself.” 

“ All right : at the Revere reading-room this even- 
ing at nine o’clock.” 

To Llewellyn it seemed an age until the appointed 
evening-hour for his meeting with Captain Jackson. 

“I assumed, Mr. Litchfield, that you would be 
prompt; and you see that I am also.” 

“ Did you meet Miss Lyddell ? ” 

“ O, yes ! and her father also, who loves you 
so well.” 

“ Did she manifest any disappointment at my 

inability to meet the engagement with her this 

• ™ 0 ” 
evening r 

“ Yes, indeed. And when I had an opportunity 
to be alone with her, I told her the whole story ; 
all about your manly request of her father to 
allow you to become more than acquainted with 
his daughter, and how he repelled you, and how 
that, to complete your j^reparation for your mis- 
sionary work, you longed for her above all in the 
world ; not for a dollar of her father’s money, but 
for herself.” 

“ All true ; but I did not authorize you to fully 
explain the situation.” 


212 


SELF-GIVING, 


Yet it was justice to her, that she should 
ki.ow it, and for the present, at least, you are 
debarred from any opportunity. The fact is, you 
both need me to engineer a little for you.” 

'' How did Miss Cleora receive the news of my 
strong attacliment for her, and of my venturesome 
request of her fatlier ? ” 

‘'News? It was no news to her that your 
affections were enlisted. She had seen it, and felt 
it, and I assure you that she reciprocates all. She 
”did not say so in words — they are reserved for 
}mur ears sometime — but it was as plain to me 
as the sun at noonday.” 

“ Well, I know not what to do. The consent 
of her parents must be secured, and that seems 
impossible for the present.” 

“ 1 am not sure of that. I think I will speak 
to Lyddell about it myself to-morrow. At least, 
he will not order his best Southern customer out 
of his office. But what is this racket in the street? 
There must be a fire, and near by. Do you wish 
to take a walk ? I enjoy seeing your Northern 
enterprise at fires.” 

The crowd was surging toward Beacon street, 
and the lurid glare of the flames, turning the dark- 
ness around them almost into day, and the fre- 
quent falling of cinders at their feet, told our 
pedestrians that they would not have far to go. 

“ O, my God ! captain, it is the Lyddell man- 
sion ! ” and Llewellyn instantly darted into the 
middle of the street, running faster than his com- 


RESCUED AND BETROTHED. 


213 


pan ion could follow, and in a few moments was 
in froTit of the lordly dwelling, which seemed 
almost entirely wrapt in a sheet of flame. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lyddell were on the opposite side 
of the street, wringing their hands in agony at the 
sight of their daughter at one of the upper win- 
dows, and of the ineffectual efforts of tlie fire- 
men to rescue her. 

Their ladders should easily have reached to the 
fourth story, but, by a strange fatality, one after 
another was broken in lifting, and others, which 
should have been on hand, were wanting, and the 
new fire-escape, which the papers had been prais- 
ing, did not work. 

The window must be reached, and from the out- 
side. that was plain. It was out of the question 
to make any entrance through the lower stories, 
and attempt to ascend witliin, for even to the 
third story all seemed ablaze, and through doors 
and windows the angry smoke and flames poured 
forth, challenging all efforts to save the precious life. 

There at the window, bending over the sill as 
far as possible to escape the suffocating smoke, 
Llewellyn saw Cleora, calmer than any in the 
street below, watching the vain efforts of her many 
would-be rescuers, and anon lifting her face toward 
heaven in prayer. 

She saw her parents, and threw kisses to them ; 
yes, and she saw Llewellyn also, and threw some 
to him, while the firemen held him back from dash- 
ing in at the door. 


214 


SELF-GIVING. 


‘‘ Give me a rope and I will climb that light- 
ning rod ! ” screamed the frantic man, while the 
police and firemen around hesitated, even at the 
new thought which seemed only the certain 
destruction of another life. 

But Llewelljni felt the relaxing of the hands 
which held him, saw his opportunity, sprung for- 
ward, seizing a coil of rope from off the hook and 
ladder truck, and before any could detain him, 
was bej^ond their reach up the lightning rod. 

It was hard work ; the rope was heav}% and tlie 
rod so small to clasp. His hands were cut and 
bleeding before he reached the third story, but he 
cared not, if only he could keep on and up, and 
save her who now watched him with undiverted 
attention, throwing words of . cheer whicli he 
could not understand for the noise of the flames 
and of the crowd below, but throwing also kisses 
which meant worlds of encouragement, and sum- 
moned him to almost superhuman effort. 

From a window of the third story the smoke 
and flame were driven by the wind directly 
across Llewellyn’s path. 

Come down ! ordered a captain of police. 

“Never! Flay into that window!” was the 
firm, heroic rej^ly. 

The latter command was obeyed, and in a 
moment Llewellyn was upon the roof, working his 
way along the eaves to a place directly over' the 
window, where his love was awaiting his rescue. 

A chimney seemed right in line, and to it with 


BESCUEB AND BETROTHED. 


215 


great difEculty he fastened one end of his rope. 
But when lie had swung clear over the eaves, and 
lowered himself to the window, alas ! it was not 
the right one. The shouts of the crowd below, 
intended to warn him of his mistake, had been 
unintelligible ; and, indeed, he had become lost to 
all but one in the world. 

There she was but eight feet from him, at the 
next window. 

Darling, can you come around to this win- 
dow?” was Llewellyn’s feeble, almost fainting 
cry. 

She disappeared, but did not come. The moments 
were a terrible suspense. Llewellyn could endure 
it no longer. Pushing from the sill, he swung as 
far out as possible, and with the return dashed 
throimh the shattered window and was lost in the 

O 

dense smoke and darkness. 

Lyddell, he will do it, or die ! ” exclaimed 
Captain Jackson to the agonized father as 
Llewellyn disappeared from view. 

‘‘No hope, sir; he, too, will be overcome in a 
moment by that suffocating smoke,” was the despair- 
ing reply of Mr. Lyddell, while at the same time 
he was supporting the half-unconscious form of his 
wife. 

‘"Look, Lyddell, the rope keeps moving I Young 
Litchfield is feeling his way along on the floor. Is 
there a door between the rooms?” 

“ Yes, thank God ! but at the rear.” 

“Lyddell, if he saves your daughter, you must 


216 


SELF-GIVING, 


take back what 3^011 said to him this morning. He 
will have the best right to her life.” 

“Well, if I cannot buy him off. Is the rope 
still moving?” 

A cheer rent the air which could have been 
heard almost to the Highlands, as Llewelljji 
appeared at the window, lifted the unconscious 
Cleora over the sill with the rope fastened under 
her arms, and began lowering her to the ground. 

Mr. Lyddell and Captain Jackson were there 
to receive with open arms, and to carry her into 
a neighboring house, whither friendl}^ hands had 
alread}" conducted the bewildered mother. 

Llewellyn had no time to spare, and imme- 
diately threw himself upon the rope to descend. 
But his strength had become quite exhausted. 
She was safe, and the motive which had nerved 
him to dare and do more than all those veteran 
firemen, was gone. He could barely break the 
force of a fall, and though he struck the ground 
in safetjq it was with terribly lacerated hands and 
with a jar sufficient to render him helpless for a 
few moments. 

Meanwhile he was carried into the same neigh- 
boring house, whither Cleora had preceded him. 

A few minutes’ kindl}^ attentions from many 
willing hands quite restored them, and while hearty 
congratulations were in progress, making all oblivi- 
ous to the burning dwelling not forty rods awa}^. 
Captain Jackson with great dexterity managed to 
divide the companjq and to close the folding 


RESCUED AND BETROTHED. 


217 


doors upon Mr. and Mrs. Lyddell and Cleora and 
Llewellyn. 

“ Mr. Lyddell, may I now ask your daughter 
for her hand?” inquired Llewellyn as he saw his 
opportuiiit}^ and arose from his sofa in a defer- 
ential and yet almost commanding attitude. 

“Say yes, Walter,” pleaded the mother; “for it 
must be so. We cannot have our way; we have 
tried long enough.” 

“ Young man, I will give you fifty thousand 
dollars to call this square and clear out.” 

“ I do not wish your money, sir ; only her, if 
she will have me.” 

Two loving arms were quickly around the neck 
of the obstinate, worldly old man. Two loving 
lips of fairest mould sought to smooth out upon 
his face the wrinkles of disappointment and dis- 
pleasure. 

“ You shall neither of you, then, have any of my 
monev ! ” 

“We do not wish it, father. God will care 
for Llewellyn and me in the work to which he 
has called us.” 

“Well, have it your own way, then ; but you are 
poor, remember ! ” 

But both Llewellyn and Cleora felt rich as 
they clasped each other to their hearts and spoke 
unutterable words. 


CHAPTER XX. 


PREPARATIONS AND WEDDING. 

T he day following, Mr. Lyddell engaged board 
for his family in a neigli boring house on the 
same fashionable avenue, securing for their exclusive 
use both parlors and the entire first fioor above. 
Llewellyn arranged in much more humble style, with 
a missionary on vacation from India, who occupied a 
small tenement in Cambridge, near Harvard Univer- 
sity. This Rev. Dr. Kingsley, of the prosperous 
Methodist Mission in Bareilly, did not forget that liis 
knowledge of the language of many millions of 
heathen was too valuable and sacred a trust to be 
rolled up and laid aside for two years. Not only did 
he persevere with a reasonable amount of literary 
work in Hindi, but three times a week he met 
Llewellyn and Cleora together at her home, and gave 
them instruction in the rudiments of the language 
they needed so soon to use. 

Under all the circumstances, and in deference to 
the wishes of Cleora, the question of preparation for 
marriage was very secondary to that of outfit for 
missionary life in India. Although it seemed 
impracticable to be ready for departure for several 

218 


PREPARATIONS AND WEDDING. 


219 


months, their good judgment told them that their 
marriage should be one of their last preparatory 
measures. 

Mr. Lyddell very promptly consented to his 
daughter’s suggestion, that slie should be credited 
with a generous sum, reckoned as saved from what 
would otherwise luive been her marriage expenses, 
and that all this amount might be distributed as her 
partiiig gifts to the various local benevolent enter- 
prises in which she had become personally interested. 
This relieved him of the embarrassment of seeming to 
be at all mean upon the occasion of his only child's 
graduation from parental guardianship. Moreover, 
he insisted that slie should continue until departure, 
calling upon him for all her needed outfit funds. 

Cleora determined, however, not to use this liberty 
to the extent of iiarming at all the mission-cause 
either at home or abroad. It was very evident to her 
that much of her wardrobe and nearly all her 
jewelry were unsuited to the new sj)here of life to 
which God had called her. It was wise for her to 
dress and to live after the simple, humble style of 
missionaries generally. Even should her father 
reconsider Ins position, and again shower his money 
upon her in coming years, Cleora conscientiously 
felt that it should not be allowed to make any appar- 
ent difference with her among lier co-laborers, and 
before the eyes of the native Christians and the 
heathen multitudes. She would have much preferred 
to turn over all such funds into the general mission- 
treasury. 


220 


SELF-GIVING. 


How much to spend, as also what articles to 
purchase, were questions she could not answer for 
herself, and she was ghid to receive advice not only 
from the returned missionary, Mrs. Kingsley, but also 
from a lady at the Rooms, who was in correspondence 
with many missionary women, and had valuable 
suggestions gathered from a wide range of experience. 
Both of these friends were wise enougli to confine 
themselves to general advice, and to leave Cleora to 
arrange her own list of outfit as the result of her own 
reflections. 

She learned that the Board was accustomed to 
appropriate, wlien necessary, for a missionary and his 
wife, five hundred dollars ; for a single man two 
hundred and fiftv dollars, and for a sins^le woman two 
hundred dollars ; also that at the end of a year after 
reaching their destination, the farther grants may be 
made of one hundred and fifty dollars, one linndred 
dollars, and fifty dollars respectively, on application 
to the treasurer of the Board. 

Llewellyn agreed with her that there was much 
wisdom in their limiting their outfit expenses to five 
hundred dollars, but he would not consent to her 
suggestion that he should spend three hundred dol- 
lars, and she two hundred dollars. 

Cleora arranged for the distribution of her elegant 
wardrobe, from which several ministers’ wives 
secured their best party suits, and ear-rings and 
brooches and briicelets were scattered around as 
souvenirs of friendship. She retained one substan- 
tial, plainly-made black silk dress, and her watch, 


PBEPABATIONS AND WEDDING. 


221 


which, though it cost five hundred dollars, and was 
out of place in missionary life, she could wear with a 
simple cord, and might so cover as not to attract 
attention. 

Neither arranged to take any furniture, nor did 
they count upon any clothing to last beyond a 
second year, as they had learned from others, as also 
by their own experiences abroad, that now, owing to 
the progress of commerce, fresh supplies can either 
be obtained readily everywhere, or quickly sent from 
England or America. 

They had all their clothing and bedding marked, 
full lists of articles carefully written out with their 
approximate values, to be furnished the forwarding 
agent for insurance, and everything carefully packed 
in well-made boxes of medium size, as being much 
preferable to trunks, save what they reserved for their 
small steamer trunk, thirteen inches high, to slide 
under their state-room berths. 

They reduced their library by a very careful selec- 
tion, for they had learned of the exceeding difficulty 
of preserving books from the ravages of insects and 
from the effects of the climate, in Southern Asia. 
Altogether, their freight on outfit, to be paid, as also 
their cost of passage, by the Board, was much witliin 
the specified six tons ship-measurement, forty cubic 
feet to a ton. 

Meanwhile the duty on the part of both, of a special 
medical preparation, had not been neglected. There 
was not much, if any, delay of departure on this 
account, but great care was taken to allow no time to 


222 


SELF-GIVING. 


run to waste, and earnest effort was made to gatlier up 
and mature and supplement the considei*able, though 
desultory knowledge of health and of disease and 
cure acquired in past years, and particularly since 
each had felt called to missionary life. Llew'ellvn 

%/ 4/ 

attended medical lectures regularly, and Cleora took 
private lessons and directions as to reading from her 
old family pliysician. 

At last the day for the wedding arrived. It w^as in 
the first week of December, 1867. An early fall of 
snow liad given tlie Bostonians two or three dat's of 
very fair sleighing, and as all preparations for both 
departure for India and the wedding w'ere complete, 
Cleora arranged the evening before, that Llewellyn 
should call eaily in the morning and take witli her a 
last drive behind her beautiful ponies, whose new 
owner was to send for them at noon. 

“ My darling,” said Llewellyn, wdien they were 
well under way, out bej^ond the great blocks of 
stone and brick dwellings, “ it must be very hard for 
you to sacrifice so much of wealth and its pleasures.” 

“ O, no ; it makes it the easier to have much to 
give 'to my Redeemer, to whom I would offer worlds 
if I had them. Would not you rather make me a 
present of one thousand dollars, than of one dollar, 
if you could ? ” 

‘‘ I am glad it is so plain that you do not go for 
for my sake.” 

Beneath the sleigh robes her hands quickly found 
their way" to his. 

“ Then, Llewellyn, y"ou do not love me any the 


PEEPABATIONS AND WEDDING. 


223 


less because I love my Saviour more, and because it 
is His love that leads me to the mission-held ? ” 

“ No, indeed, Cleora dear ; not only is my load 
made lighter, but my lieart goes out toward you in 
deeper and stronger affection as thus I see the image 
of Christ tlie more perfectl}^ reflected in you.” 

‘‘ Good-by, ponies,” most cheerfully said Cleora as 
they alighted on return. And she could not help it — 
the nigh one was her pet, her saddle horse — so she 
stopped a moment to pat him, and put her arm 
around his neck. 

‘‘Jacob,” she added to the driver, “be sure, for my 
sake, to give them extra oats to-day before they go.” 

It was a very simple, unpretending service at the 
church at four o’clock. The bride was dressed in 
white Indian muslin, a garment she liad selected more 
especially for its utility in Southern Asia, and wliich 
for this occasion was ornamented only with natural 
flowers. Margaret Kilburne, who had that noon ar- 
rived from Chicago on purpose to attend tlie wedding 
and the morrow’s farewell, was Cleora’s first brides- 
maid. No ring was used, for the missionary bride did 
not wish at all to encourage the heathen superstitious 
regard for jewelry-charms of any kind. The father 
went through the form of giving his daughter away, 
but he could not entirely mask his feeling of bitter 
opposition to the whole transaction. Indeed, he had 
anticipated that the mere formalities of the church- 
service were all that he could anyway respectably 
endure, and so he had arranged confidentially with a 
New York business-house to summon him peremp- 


224 


SELF-GIVING. 


torily by telegraph, to come iminecliatel}^ by the 
live-twenty train. 

Thus Mr. Lycldell escaped from the two trying 
ordeals of the informal evening reception in his par- 
lors, and of the public farewell-meeting under the 
auspices of the jMission Society the following evening. 

“Now, Cleora, and ]\Ir. Litchfield,” were his part- 
ing words, on leaving for the Providence depot, “ I 
hope you will become thoroughly tired of this busi- 
ness in a year or two, and desire to come home. 
When you are ready, you may draw on me for all 
needed funds. And I will take you, sir, into part- 
nership, and give you as good an opportunity as any 
young man in America.” 


CHAPTER XXI. 


HOME FAREWELLS AND INDIA GREETINGS. 

L lewellyn and Cleora found it harder than 
they had expected to separate from kindred 
and friends. For the daughter to press the mother’s 
lips for perhaps the last time, certainly for years, was 
agonizing. To have a fatlier allow business to keep 
him from seeing his only child off for the mission-field 
was painful in the extreme. Llewellyn also had bit- 
terness added to his cup of sorrow in leaving the 
home land, in that neither mother, brothers or sisters 
sympathized with him in liis purpose to labor among 
the heathen. They thought that if he must be a 
clergyman, there was work enough for him to do at 
home. Notwithstanding their obligations to him, they 
had allowed envy of his exceptional opportunities of 
foreign travel to grow and bring forth fruit. And 
then for him to throw away upon the heathen such a 
brilliant alliance with one of the first families of 
Boston, was to disregard entirely their social ambitions. 
Though his mother and both sisters were Christians, 
they had never yet to the measure of eitlier Llewellyn 
or his sainted father, been filled with the spirit of Him 
who came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” 


225 


226 


SELF-GIVING. 


Tu all this special hardness of the separation there 
was cunsiderable offset in the thought that they were 
to be far away from so much inappreciation, ingral i- 
tude and want of sympathy. But those final days 
revealed to them tlie rciility of the kinship of a mucli 
larger circle. They found Christ’s promise verified to 
those who leave house or lands, or brethren or sisters, 
or father or mother, and around them truly clustered 
the “ liundred-fold nowin this time,” a great coin[)any 
of fathers and motliers in Israel, and of spiritual 
brethren and sistei’s, blood relations, indeed, through 
the precious blood of Jesus, with all their homes, iind 
lands, and possessions on Christ’s altar for liis cause. 
They had never so highly a2)preciated the inner circle 
of llie famil}^ of faith as now, and it added keenness to 
their parting grief to leave behind so many whose 
companionship would be like that of lieaven. 

The public farewell service was held in Tremont 
Temple. The lower floor was full of representatives 
from scores of churches in the city and vicinity. 
Llewellyn and Cleora sat well forward in the centre 
of the house, until his tiine came to speak, after which 
he returned to her side and stood with her as the 
moderator of the meeting said the last formal good-by. 

There were some ministers on- that platform who 
seemed to be strangely out of place, or in place. 
They looked on with the most intense interest, and 
3’et it was painfully evident that it was the interest of 
novel t}’. They had not probably preached a mis- 
sionarj' sermon for years, nor carried as their own the 
responsibilit}^ of their churches to contribute to the 


HOME FAREWELLS AND INDIA GREETINGS. 227 


support of foreign evangelization, nor sought in all 
their thousands of pastoral calls to lead any of the 
youth in their flocks to consider the question of going 
in Christ’s name to heathen lands ; and yet there they 
were upon that platform, trying with eyes, and ears, 
and smiles, and nods, to present for the occasion a re- 
spectable mission aj)[)earance. 

One of them, a very popular preacher, the secretary 
ventured in makiiiiX arraimements for the meetinsf, to 
invite to lead in prayer. But it proved very unfor- 
tunate, for, though he could have prayed very beauti- 
fully about, and all around about America and Europe, 
he knew next to noLliiuL; of the reli<_?‘ions condition in 

o o 

Asia. He spoke of the hundreds of millions of Bud- 
dhists in India., when he should have said Hindus, 
being fifteen hundred years behind the times. He 
prayed that the doors for the Gosjiel might be thrown 
open in China, oblivious of the Nan-King and Tient- 
sin treaties, and of the vast deal of evangelizing work 
wdiich had there already been performed. And he 
entreated the Lord to break in pieces the idols of 
iMahometanism, entirely ignorant of the fact that no 
other object is such an abomination to the believers 
in Islam as an idol. 

Another thing disturbed the serenity of the occa- 
sion. Several laymen were present, who were well 
known in their churches to be entirely apathetic upon 
the subject of foreign missions, but who were ready 
to seize such an opportunity as this to propose a col- 
lection as a parting testimonial, and thus without 
acknowledging how small an amount they intended 


228 


SELF-GTVim. 


tliemselves to drop unobserved into the boxes, to make 
an appearance of interest and generosity. In tlie 
immediate society witli wliicli they bad mingled inti- 
mately for years, they liad failed to manifest the 
qualities essential to leadership, but here at a public 
union-meetiim, on an occasion of tearfulness and 
general sympathy, how difficult, indeed, to decline to 
follow their suggestions. 

oo 

The collection was taken, and it amounted to three 
hundred dollars. Llewellyn felt that, while tliere 
Jiiight be difference of iiidgment as to the wisdom of 
gathering up all these expressions of interest upon 
that occasion, it was veiy plain what was his duty 
with regard to the disposal of tlie money. Therefore 
he arose and said : 

“I thank you, friends, in behalf also of Mrs. Litch- 
field, for this generous testimonial of your regard for 
us, and the work we are hoping to perform in India. 
But we feel that we must ask you to allow us to 
remit tliis money to the treasury of our society. In 
the matter of our outfit, the executive officers have 
dealt with us generously, and the better we are 
informed, the more certain we are that the limits they 
assigned to our expenditures were wise. Provision 
has been made us for all necessary cost in reaching 
our field of labor; and there, taking all things into 
account, the pecuniary support which your committee 
has promised to allow us, is not only sufficient, but 
generous. While we have not, and shall not object 
to incidental tokens of personal interest, we feel that 
to accept this large amount, when the treasury is so 


HOME FAREWELLS AND INDIA GREETINGS. 229 


straitened, would be inexpedient, and an irregularity 
for whose consequences we would not be held respon- 
sible.” 

A suppressed cheer from all parts of the house 
greeted this declaration of the }^oung missionary-elect. 
Nothinof whicli had been said during the whole 
evening did the cause of missions as much good. It 
was so thorougidy manly, and true to the ideal of a 
minister of the Gospel, and adapted to create general 
confidence in the administration of the society. By 
that exhibition of unselfishness, and of practical faith 
in God in the use of the instrumentalities which his 
people had deliberately and prayerfully chosen, the 
^mung missionaries, on the threshold of their life- 
work, did as much for the cause at home as do many 
by years of correspondence, or by months of vacation 
service. 

In a moment arose from one of the central pews 
Hon. James DeWitt, a prominent merchant on 
Franklin street, and a leader in one of the West End 
churches, and wdth a clear, ringing voice, he 
declared : 

“ This incident makes me more a friend of missions 
than ever. If these are the kind of new missionaries 
being sent forth, I wish to increase my investment in 
the cause. Will the treasurer please take my name 
for a thousand dollars as a thank offering, to-night? ” 

“And mine also,” added Lawyer Hobson of the 
Calvary Church, on Tremont street. 

“ Count me in too,” said ex-Mayor Vaughn. 

And briskly the pledges were made for various 


230 


SELF-GIVING. 


sums all the way down, until the audience insisted 
upon the boxes being passed again, and the thank 
offering placed to the credit of the general treasury 
that evening, was ten thousand dollars. 

“God lielp us,” whispered Llewellyn to Cleora as 
the result of this unexpected enthusiasm was 
announced ; “ God help us in our correspondence 
with home Christians, and in any intercourse, public 
and private, with them during future vacations, to 
remember the lessons of this evening, and keep tlie 
cause ever uppermost in our thoughts, with sincere 
loyalty for those who are the appointed repre- 
sentatives of the churches in their cooperation with 
us in our mission work.” 

“Yes, indeed,” she replied; “I join 3'ou in that 
prayer.” 

“ Only Mrs. Lj^ldell and IMargaret Kilburne were 
encouraged to accompany tliem to the steamer. 
From the street full of friends in front of the Temple, 
the four took their seats in the carriage for East 
Boston and the docks of the Cunard Line. 

Upon the deck and in the state-room were many 
lincrerinof minutes. It was hard for Cleora; it was 
much liarder for Mrs. Lvddell, for she was still 
unreconciled to the sacrifice, and had not yet turned 
from lier bitter disappointment and cherished grief to 
Him who had made the cup veiy sweet to her 
daughter’s lips. 

M argaret assured them, that as soon as possible, 
she would follow and join them in the mission work 
in Agra. 


HOME FAREWELLS AND INDIA GREETINGS. 231 


Have faith in God, dear sister,” exclaimed 
Llewellyn with strong emphasis ; have faith, and 
the mountains in the way will be removed ; I know 
it!” 

Margaret returned with the desolate mother, to keep 
her company that lonely night; and when the morn- 
ing broke, the steamship with its precious lives had 
weio'hed anchor for the far-off Eastern world. 

Liverpool, Egypt, Calcutta. Forty days, and they 
landed in India. 

Rev. Dr. Duff, of the Free Church of Scotland, 
the great leader of Christian education in India, 
and Rev. Dr. Wenger, of the English Baptist mis- 
sion, engaged in the important work of translating 
the Bible into Sanscrit, had taken a row-boat two 
miles down the Hooghly, and were ready to board the 
steamer as it dropped anchor, and to welcome the 
new missionaries. 

There were many temptations to linger in Cal- 
cutta, but both Llewellyn and Cleora were very 
anxious to hasten on to their own field of labor. 
They would probably have some vacation op- 
porturdty in the course of a few }’ears to become 
acquainted with this “city of palaces,” and they 
could be persuaded to remain onl}" over Sunday, 
when i\Ir. Litchfield preached, to the great delight of 
the English-speaking audiences, in the morning at 
the Circular Road Chapel, and in the afternoon at 
that of the Lall Bazaar. The American Consul- 
General Whiting, who heard both sermons, observed 
to a friend, that the young man would have certainly 


232 


SELF-GIVING. 


commanded a five-thousand-dollar salary at home as 
minister in some leading city church. 

A large number of suggestions were made by sev- 
eral experienced missionaries as to the clothing, diet 
and habits of the new-comers, and both Llewellyn 
and his bride were wise enough to promptly adopt 
them, though it seemed a little hard to throw away 
those good straw hats they had so carefully pre- 
served from the last summer ; very difficult for Llew- 
ellyn to commence cultivating a taste for curry, 
and for both to consent to take the night-train for 
Allahabad and Agra. To whirl through several 
hundred miles of this strange, far-away country, 
mostly in the dark, was a real disappointment ; but 
they were assured it was the only safe time for for- 
eigners in the climate of India, even at that most 
favorable season of the year. 

Thoughts of the Taj, of Shah-Jehan and Noor- 
Jehan and Mumtaz-i-Mehal, and of Akbar, and his 
palace, filled the minds of all other foreigners on the 
train as it neared the famous city of Agra, but 
Llewellyn and Cleora were absorbed with the 
^ thought of being at last upon the threshold of their 
life-work. Here was the centre of the populous 
district, where they were to toil until death, seeking 
to rescue from heathenism, to gather converts, and 
to establish various Christian institutions. 

Though there were already two missionary families 
in Agra, one of a British society and the other of 
an American, and either would have given the new- 
comers a hospitable welcome, the latter decided to 


HOME FAREWELLS AND INDIA GREETINGS. 233 


commence with as much self-reliance as possible, and 
at once to locate themselves temporarily in the gov- 
ernment dak bungalow. They had brouglit an inter- 
preter from Calcutta, and with the little knowledge 
of the language they had already acquired, tliey felt 
as if they ought to do a good measure of genuine 
pioneer work. 

Toward evening of that first day they sought the 
humble home of two poor native Christians; one 
old woman and her crippled son. These liad been 
converted at Delhi in connection with a station of 
Mr. Litchfield’s own society. The greeting was cor- 
dial and demonstrative. But what a little begin- 
ning ! 

Surely alone this could not justify the expectations 
which had been awakened in the mission rooms in 
Boston. This thatch-covered mud hovel did not 
shelter sufficient encouragement to warrant the estab- 
lishment of a new station at so much sacrifice, and 
the proclamation to the Christian world of grandly 
opening fields for evangelization in North India. 

But there are other statistics than of mere numbers 
and rank of converts, upon which mission enterprises 
should be prosecuted. This the new missionaries 
appreciated, and before dark they were enabled to 
return to their room witli glad, hopeful hearts. 

Twice during their walk they were asked by very 
gentlemanly appearing natives, if they liad any Chris- 
tian books for sale. No gift was solicited by these 
heathen men, but only an opportunity to buy. 

Several times in the crowded streets there seemed 


234 


SELF-GIVING. 


to be no special effort on the part of evidently Liodi 
caste natives to escape the contamiiiatiiig touch of the 
foreigners, nor to preserve their food from falling 
under the shadow of the pedestrians. 

They met a ‘‘ sacred cow ” being actually driven 
away from the front of a provision store, and by the 
proprietor, who did not hesitate in the presence of a 
score of natives to use a stout club upon the heathen 
deity. 

In a temple they passed there were but few wor- 
shippers, and the building was very dilapidated. 
Tliese and other evidences were unmistakable of 
important opening opportunity for missionary work. 
Beyond the tearful welcome of tliat humble mitive 
home, they could see a multitude being pre2:>ared to 
greet the Saviour they had come to introduce. 


CHAPTER XXII. 


AT THE DAK BUNGALOW. 


"^HE temporary home of the new missionaries was 
one of the rude, economical lodging houses, 
built by the government for tlie use of travellers, at 
intervals along the highways and in all the principal 
cities and towns. They are in charge of native 
keepers, more trustworthy than the average of hotel 
proprietors in Europe, Great Britain and America, 
who become for the time being the travellers’ servant 
if desired, procuring whatever the market affords at 
printed prices, regularly revised by government 
inspectors. The rooms are furnished only with 
cliairs, tables, bedsteads and mattresses, so that the 
occupant must provide all table and bed linen, all 
dishes and blankets. Of the latter es2:>ecially every 
traveller in the Orient finds it necessary to carry a 
generous supply, for the nights are often very cold 
and penetrating, notwithstanding the intense daily 
heat. 

The first evening at the dak bungalow the 
missionaries of the other societies, and nearly all of 
the few native Christians in the city, gathered to add 
their greetings to the new messengers of Christ. 

235 


236 


SELF-GIVING. 


Anioi]g tlie nearly one liundred and fifty thousand 
lieathen of Agra, lliere was only a single little room 
full of those who knew experimentally of God and of 
the way of everlasting life. But, though of different 
branches of the Church of Christ, they were all one in 
heurt and hand. None felt, in the presence of such 
vast fields for evangelistic enterprise, that there was 
any encroachment upon their work. Indeed through- 
out all heathendom that is a difficulty seldom con- 
templated, except by those wdio are unduly restful in 
their work, over-anxious to guard tlieir statistics, and 
reluctant to be stimulated by fraternal emulation. 

Learning that the natives were quite familiar wdth 
the hymn in Hindi, and that they were accustomed to 
sing it in the same tune, Llewellyn requested that 
before the company separated, they should sing 
together, he and Cleora in English, they in the 
language of over a hundred millions of India’s vast 

O O 

population : — 

Blest be the tie that binds 
Ourliearts in Cliristian love; 

The fellowship of kindred minds 
Is like to that above. 

Befoi’o onr Father’s throne 
We pour onr ardent praj^ers; 

Onr fears, onr hopes, our aims are one, 

Our comforts and our cares. 

Never had these two verses sounded more sweetly 
since John Fawcett penned them nearly a century 
before. 


AT THE DAK BUTTGALOW. 


237 


One of the first callers was a lieutenant-colonel of 
the Britisli army stationed at tlie Agra fort. He was 
not a professed Christian, but thoroughly in sympathy 
with the clmnged attitude of ins government, since 
tlm mutiny, towards missionaries and native converts 
in India. In colonial politics he was an ardent dis- 
ciple of tlie school of the late viceroy. Lord Lawrence, 
and a believer in the official statement made by the 
Indian government to Parliament, in which it 
acknowledges “ the great obligation under which it is 
laid by the benevolent exertions made by six hundred 
missionaries, whose blameless example and self-deny- 
ing labors are infusing new vigor into the stereotyped 
life of the great populations placed under English 
rule, and are preparing them to be in ever}^ way 
better men and better citizens of the great empire in 
which they dwell.” 

‘‘Colonel Wright,” inquired Llewellyn, “what do 
you anticipate will be the returns of the coming 
census ? ” 

“No doubt, Mr. Litchfield, a large advance upon 
the figures of the last report. We shall not fall much 
short of two hundred and forty million population.” 

“And how are these immense numbers divided?” 
asked Cl e ora. 

“Well, madam, almost seventy million will be 
found to live in Bengal and Assam ; forty -five million 
in the Northwest Provinces and Oiidli; twentv mil- 
lion in tlie Punjab; forty million in Central India, 
including tlie Nizam’s Dominions, Berars an d Raj- 
poo tan a ; forty million in the Madras Presidency^ 


238 


SELF-GIVING. 


iiicliuling Mysore, Coorg and Travancore ; and 
tweiity-tive million in the Bombay Presidenc\% includ- 
ing Sindh.” 

But, Colonel, I had special reference to tlie divi- 
sions of this immense population according to 
religious faitli.” 


‘‘Tiiat, Mrs. Litchfield, is somewhat more uncer- 
tain. Ill the process of religious unsettlement that is 
going oil among this people, it is not so easy often to 
locate the natives religiously as geographically. But 
there are probably over one liundred and seventy-five 
million of Hindus, fifty-five million of Mahometans, 
ami ten million of others, including Sikhs, Buddhists, 
Jains, Catholics, Protestants and the believers in a 
variety of aboriginal faiths.” 

‘‘How large a following do you estimate Roman 
Catholicism and Protestantism have respectively?” 
inquired Llewellyn. 

“ The Catholics claim, sir, the larger number ; but 
I incline to the belief that the numbers are about 
equal ; say three liundred thousand each.” 

‘‘Were you here during the fearful mutiny?” 
interposed Cleora, amid these bewildering statistics. 

“O, 3 ^es; and for ten years before, excepting my 
furlough. I participated in the assault of Delhi, 
through the Cashmere gate, and in the relief of Luck- 
now. I was at the slaughter pen of Cawnpore, alas, 
too late ! and divided with the soldiers tliose bloody 
tresses of women’s and children’s hair. AVe swore 
upon them: we kept our oaths. Before the close of 
1857, a dead sepoy stood for every hair.” 


AT THE DAK BUNGALOW. 


239 


Not long after, on an early morning walk to a 
native merchant, who had invited Llewellyn with his 
interpreter to a* religions conversation, he met one of 
the most familiar scenes in India. Under a tree was 
a seat of common stone and mortar, carved with the 
obscene Linga and Yoiii of Siva and Dnrga, occupied 
by a Braliman, before whom prostrate in the dust say- 
ing liis pi'ayers, was a devout Hindu, his offering in 
liis hands, and the broad color marks of his caste on 
his forehead, 

After the brief ceremony, and the god had pocketed 
tlie money, Llewellyn asked the privilege of making a 
few inquiries. 

“ Certainly,” was the gentlemanly reply, “if it is 
only for information.” 

“ Are Brahmans, then, thoroughly holiest in encour- 
aging the worship paid them by the other classes of 
society ? 

“ Not all. Many, influenced by foreign education 
and ideas, have lost faith in the divinity of the Brah- 
iniiiical priesthood, and still encourage what they 
believe is deception for the sake of gain. But the 
majority of us are confident we are the superior race, 
because the divinity resides in us.” 

“Is it not a fact that in repeated texts of 3^our 
ancient Vedas we may read, ‘There is, in truth, but 
one Deity, the Supreme Spirit, the Lord of the 
universe, whose work is the universe ? ’ Is it not also 
a fact, that even in your most sacred and venerable 
Rig-Veda no indication is given of your doctrine of 
the transmigration of souls ? ” 


240 


SELF-GIVING, 


‘‘ You may say so ; ami yet for interpretation and 
full instruction we need to consult tlie Institutes of 
Menu, the Ramayana and Maha-bliarata, and the 
Piiranas and Tontras.” 

“ How many objects of worship does Hinduism 
allow ? 

Three hundred and thirty million, of whom we 
Brahmans are the superior caste, ranked only by our 
holy triad, Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, 
and Siva the Destroyer.” 

Probably Cleora came to realize the most speedily 
tlie strengtdi and perplexity of the Hindu caste-S3^steni. 
She found the servant-question the most difficult part 
of tlieir arranging for temporaiw housekeeping in the 
dak bungalow. It was veiy evident she must have 
help, or give up all missionary responsibility beyond 
domestic care ; and whether she would be equal to 
the latter while unacclimated was far from certain. 

Few women could be hired, for, as a rule, they are 
all married off by their parents in childhood, and are 
the slaves of others. But hosts of men were clamor- 
ing for domestic employment. Yet each applicant 
would positively decline to do anything forbidden b}" 
his caste. 

To an intelligent }^oung man she said, ‘‘I will hire 
you to do errands for me.” 

“ O, no, mem sahib,” he replied ; I am a durwan, 
not a bharer. I keep gates.” 

Another accepted the engagement, and would 
assist her in dusting, but refused to do any sweeping. 

So she had also to hire a sweeping mehter, but he 


AT THE DAK BUNGALOW. 


241 


would not consent to bring any water to the house ; 
that belonged to the beestie caste. 

As none of these would wait on the table and wash 
the dishes, Cleora was obliged to hire a kitmutgar, 
and then a bowashi to do the cooking. 

Yet, alas, the bowashi would break his caste if he 
should clean a pot or kettle, and the kitmutgar would 
touch nothing but dishes, so she was compelled to 
engage the services of a masalchi. Moreover she had 
to secure a dhobee to wash clothes, and a durgee to 
sew them after every washing, for the thrashing and 
stone-pounding of a dhobee are sure to demolish but- 
tons and open seams every time, even with newest 
garments, in India. 

Cleora thought she would dispense with a khansawa, 
or bazaar-man, but learned her mistake before long, 
and as the heat rapidly advanced, punka-wallahs were 
necessary to keep the great fans swinging. 

When Llewellyn bought a horse, not one of all these 
lazv caste-servants would touch it, to feed, clean or 
harness it. So it was found in India that a syce is as 
needful as a horse. 

All these twelve servants, or at least the ten, leav- 
ing out the punka-wallahs, did not accomplish as much 
work as one Irish girl or one Chinaman. Yet it was 
a satisfaction to find that the total expense of them 
all — they feeding themselves — did not exceed that 
of {ui ordinary house servant in America or England. 

Half of the time of the new servants was taken up 
in keeping out of each other’s way and thus avoiding 
the breaking of caste ; and notwithstanding the larger 


242 


SELF-GIVING. 

proportion of the remaining half was spent in idleness, 
they were indispensable. 

One afternoon, while the tedious negotiations were 
still pending for the purchase of siutal)le ground h)r 
the new mission buildings, Mr. and Mrs. Litcliiield 
were invited to attend a wedding in a native Christian 
home. A'converted Brahman of the Church Society 
mission was to officiate at the ceremony, and all the 
A gra missionaries were to be present. Little did they 
anticipate the touching glimpse of heaven, with which 
they were to be privileged. 

The two were made one according to the beautiful 
ritual of the Anoflican Establishment. But not 

O 

many minutes after, the noble form of the native 
preacher sank suddenly to the floor. It proved a 
fatal attack of heart disease. For a few moments 
he spoke beautifully to those around, including several 
prominent Hindu neighbors, urging Jesus Christ as 
the best of all friends in death and in life. 

Then it occurred to one of the missionaries, that 
according to Indian law, no marriage is legal without 
the signature of the officiating clergyman. So as 
promptly as possible the certificate was filled, and a 
pen placed in the dying hand. 

“My name you wish?” whispered the converted 
Brahman. “ There is none other name under heaven 
given among men, whereby we must be saved.” 

“ Yes, dear brother, Jesus only,” replied the tearful 
but enraptured missionary, whose labors had been 
blessed to leading this soul from darkness into light ; 
“ yet now we want your name on this paper.” 


AT THE DAK BUNGALOW. 


243 


“ My name ? I have no name but the Lamb’s 
name upon my forehead.” 

HivS pen began to move on the paper. At least it 
would answer for his mark, which they could witness. 
The hand dropped. The eyes closed. They looked 
at the signature. 

It was only — ‘‘Jesus.” 

As they separated, a heathen Brahman was heard to 
pray, “ O, thou, the Christian’s God, turn thou my 
heart.” 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


VISITS TO DELHI AND CAWNPORE. 

W HILE it was a pleasure for Cleora to listen to 
the songs of the natives and to join with 
them in singing English tunes, particularly those 
which had been her favorites for years at religious 
meetings and in her private devotions, the sugges- 
tion came to her one day as she overheard casually 
some purely native melodies, “ Why not use their 
own music to Christian hvmns?” 

The more she studied the question, the more con- 
vinced she was that the new principle would be 
a correct one, and that in this direction it was possi- 
ble to contribute very largely to both the emotional 
and the devotional character of the native service of 
song. 

This new task was by no means an easy one. 
Cleora had to spend much time and exercised great 
patience in listening to the humorous, bacclianalian, 
patriotic and war songs of the natives, and to their 
anthems, carols, lays, ballads, dirges and requiems, 
and then in selectinof what was suitable for her 
purpose and recording it on paper. But wlien her 
adaptations of tune and hymn were completed, and 

244 


VISITS TO DTJLIII AND CAWNPOBE, 


245 


she had drilled a few of the youDg girls to the task 
they accomplished with surprising eagerness and 
rapidity, the result was very gratifying. 

But this labor, added to her domestic and other 
missionary cares, proved too much for Cleora’s 
strength, and it became evident that she must have 
rest. 

Every day for a few weeks she broke off from her 
severe routine of work, and spent an hour or two in 
the beautiful grounds of the Taj. But evidently 
this was no real rest to her. As well call it rest to 
listen for an hour to the most eloquent orator of the 
world, or to the most celebrated songstress, or to 
study for tlie same length of time in any of the 
famous art-galleries of the Old World. Never were 
words more eloquent tlian the story and the costli- 
ness and the tracery of this vast marble mausoleum. 
Never was music more entrancing than tliis Mogul 
song in architecture to the memory of Shall- Jehan's 
love for tlie favorite of his harem. And never had 
Cleora been so moved in the presence of any work 
of human art, as when for the first time slie entered 
tlie vast gateway to the grounds, and the peerless 
structure, which had required the labor of thousands 
of men for over a score of years, burst full upon her 
vision. Neither slie nor Llewellyn were the first to 
shed tears at that introductorv moment, overborne 
by a pathos no language can describe and no imagi- 
nation can realize. 

It was evident she must go somewliere for rest, 
where not only she could feel free from personal 


246 


SELF-GIVING, 


responsibility, but the Taj was out of sight and 
sound, and its other nameless influences could create 
no deliglitful weariness. 

Neither Delhi nor Cawnpore, filled as are both 
with so many thrilling memories, and containing as 
does the former vast piles of fascinating Mogul 
architecture, were exactly the places to be chosen, 
but to these neighboring cities were the oidy invita- 
tions she had yet received, and she decided first to 
visit a week among the missionaries in the former, as 
being the less exciting. 

Meanwliile Llewellyn had secured ground and was 
arranging for building. Why he should have bought 
with • mission money two fall acres of land in the 
suburbs of Agra, would no longer be a mystery to one 
who had travelled in hot, dusty and malarious 
Oriental countries. IMissioii premises require the 
isolation and the breathing room, not for comfort 
simply, but for health, for quiet, and for opportunity 
of enlargement. 

Yet this limit had been placed by the Rooms upon 
his expenditure of the society’s money. But the 
block of land contained three acres, and the Hindu 
real estate agent of one of the old rajahs would not 
consent to any division. There seemed no other way, 
as plenty of time was allowed, than for Llewelhui to 
buy the extra acre liimself, promising to pay in five 
years at two hundred rupees, or nearlj^ one hundred 
dollars per year. 

Little did he dream of the world of trouble this was 
to bring him during all liis missionary life. It became 


VISITS TO DELHI AND CAWNPORE. 


247 


noised about at home that Mr. Litchfield had gone 
into real estate speculation. Some believed he was 
making a large fortune ; others that he was squander- 
ing mission funds. It would perliaps liave been wiser 
for him to liave given the land immediately to the 
Society, but he did not anticipate the unreasonable- 
ness of many of the home Christians. Again and 
again the appropriations for the Agra mission were 
cut down, because of the supposed wealth represented 
by one acre of suburban land, which could be divided 
into city lots, and crowded with spacious stores and 
elegant private residences. 

In vain Llewell^ni protested that the land was not 
worth much over five hundred dollars. One of the 
secretaries of tlie American Foreign Mission Society, 
who owned but fifty feet front on Columbus Avenue, 
Boston, never could reconcile himself to a missionary 
having ten times as much ground in the outskirts of a 
great city. Whenever a returned missionary from 
India visited Boston, or a round-the-world tourist was 
interviewed at the Rooms, the anxious inquiry of 
several was sure to be regarding the speculative 
tendencies and luxurious habits of the Agra mission- 
aries. 

Not all this gossip, indeed, reached the ears of Mr. 
and Mrs. Litchfield, and yet enough of it to make 
them considerably indignant. 

‘‘Whatever they say, that purchase shall stand,” 
declared Llewellyn, as he brought his foot down with 
an emphasis, of course very unministerial and unmis- 
sionary. 


248 


SELF-GIVING, 


' I say so too,” added Cleora ; “ and I would like 
to give them a piece of my mind.” 

The fact was that the climate had begun to tell 
upon their temper. They had lost no measure of 
their piety, but only a very appreciable amount of' 
nerve power of self-control. At home they had not 
conceived it possible for them ever to write severe 
and sarcastic letters to the mission leaders of their 
church, nor did they dream that love so pure and 
strong as theirs toward each other could ever allow 
the faintest trace of a domestic quarrel ; but, ah, mis- 
sionaries as well as ministers are after all very much 
like other good Christian people. Their nerves also 
can become unstrung, their best judgment be carried 
away, their tempers roiled. 

The Delhi missionaries conducted Cleora to the 
celebrated citadel with its gorgeous pavilion where 
stood the peacock throne ” worth thirty millions of 
dollars, to the Jumna IMusjid, the largest mosque in 
India, to the often described Kutab Minar, the loftiest 
column in the world, to the Cashmere gate where 
Anglo-Saxon heroism Avas so strikingly illustrated, and 
then up and down Chaiidni Chowk, the Broadway of 
Delhi and the most curious avenue furnished by any 
city in any land. 

Cleora was entertained very hospitably by the mis- 
sionary family Avhich she visited, but evidently a very 
different spirit was entertaiiied toward any who might 
represent the home administration or the home 
churches. 

‘AVe want no more delegates to interfere with our 


VISITS TO DELHI AND CA WNPORE, 


243 


work,” remarked Mr. Twining one evening. “ They 
better all stay at borne and leave ns alone.” 

“ Then, do I understand,” observed Cleora, “ that 
you would reduce the executive officers and the 
leaders of our ministry and laity in Great Britain and 
America to mere financial agents to collect and for- 
ward to us mission funds ? ” 

“Precisely. They cannot know the field as we 
know it ; and their intermeddling is certain to be a 
blunderingf and a Inndrance.” 

“I am sure, Mr. Twining,” continued Cleora, “ I 
never heard any other missionary express such views. 
It seems to me altogether best that this should be a 
mutual responsibility. It is too great for us alone, and 
the home Christians need the constant obligation so 
thoroughly to inform themselves that they may be 
able to counsel with us, and often to guide us as well 
as to be guided by us. Indeed, one of the most hope- 
ful signs of the times appears to me to be the prospect 
of more numerous delegations from the churches, both 
official and unofficial, personally examining and 
reporting our work, its needs and its methods.” 

“ They should save their travelling money, and 
relieve the pressure upon such as my colleague in the 
other house,” still persisted the obstinate Englishman, 
' specially loath to be refuted by a woman. 

“I think I have discovered,” replied Cleora, “tlie 
foundation of your colleague’s embarrassment. He 
does not sufficiently exercise the grace of self-denial 
in the matter of his own benevolences. Surrounded 
all the while by a vast cloud of heathen, we have no 


250 


SELF-GIVING. 


gi’eater pleasure than tliat for their sake of sacrifice. 
We would go without food, to reach with the Gospel 
the larger number, increase the attendance upon 
our schools, and liasteii the qualification of those 
who may be prominent liglits in tlie dense dark- 
ness. But tliis is a gratification we should not indulge 
to the extent of renderincr our salaries insufficient 
for our living. Mr. Sage is supporting three stu- 
dents out of his own funds, has adopted a pretty little 
waif, subscribed fifty pounds toward youi^hapel, and 
cannot say no to the next call upon his charity.” 

On the through train to Cawnpore Cleora was 
accompanied by a missionary residing in Lahore, and 
was delighted to learn directly of the evangelizing 
situation throughout the Punjab, as also in the south- 
ern border of Cashmere. It seemed to lier that, even 
in the suppression of the mutiny, the British main re- 
liance was upon the natives of the Punjab, so in the 
conquest of Christianity over Hindooism and the 
Mahometanism of India, one of the chief elements at 
least in the struggle will be the native strength re- 
cruited for Emanuel in that great Northwestern 
region between the Sutlej and the Upper Indus. 

At Cawnpore the scenes of saddest possible mem- 
ories were all visited ; the place of Wheeler’s en- 
trenchment; the old well; the river bank; the 
graves of the martyr-missionaries; the memorial 
church; and especially the well where hundreds of 
women and children, ‘Hlie dying with the dead,” 
were cast, surmounted now by a beautiful marble 
angel, whispering — Peace! 


VISITS TO DELHI AND CA WNPOllE. 


251 


111 the mission work Cleora could not help noticing 
that the Americans seemed to take hold more natu- 
rally and efficiently than their English associates. It 
appeared easier for them to be at one with the people. 
Their labor manifested special enterprise, and evi- 
dently the more intelligent of the natives realized that 
the Americans were not their conquerors. At Delhi, 
her Eimlish hosts alwavs had wine on the table; but 
lier Cawnpore American mission-friends were believers 
in total abstinence, and Cleora felt that herein was- the 
secret of somewhat of the difference ol success. 

She observed, also, that preaching to heathen is very 
niucli like preaching to Christians, in that it largely 
depends upon the preacher’s ability to preach. Her 
host had a larsfe audience on Sundav, and held its 
attention perfectly, while his colleague spoke to a 
handful, and half of them did not seem to listen. 

“I really pity you,” tliought Cleora; “for you do 
not dream of the secret of your failure.” 

One of the Cawnpore missionary women was on the 
point of returning home, dragging her husband with 
her, though they had not been upon the field quite 
five years. But she had a physician’s certificate, de- 
claring that it was necessary for her to leave that cli- 
mate for two years, at least, and that had settled it. 

Cleora could not help feeling that the certificate was 
an imposition, granted by an unbeliever in missions, 
to further a supposed desire for vacation. So she 
asked him to examine her case. He looked at her 
tongue, felt her pulse, and then declared that her life 
depended upon her immediate return to America. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


KETRENCHMENT ORDERED. 

T he first year was cliiefly occupied in the study 
of the language, and in tlie erection of the mis- 
sion buildings. It was very diffi jult for Llewellyn 
and Cleora to find a competent teacher. Indeed, after 
several discouraging experiments, they concluded 
the onl}^ way was to be their own teachers, using 
their native pundits merely as a pump would use a 
cistern. 

Many temptations were thrown in their path to 
divert attention in part from the all-important com- 
mencement of a successful missionary career — the 
thorough acquisition of the language. Mr. Litchfield 
was invited to hold a regular preaching service with 
the English officers and soldiers in tlie fort; and the 
surgeon of the hospital, appreciating that the ministry 
of woman is often better than the medicine and skill 
of the physician, and learning of Mrs. Litchfield's 
experience in the American army, cordially invited 
her to come frequently to his wards. 

A wealthv Scotch merchant of Agra wished Llew- 

CD 

ell\ui to become the tutor of his son ; and a promi- 
nent Brahman of the advanced school — a member of 


252 


• BETBENCIIMENT ORDERED. 


253 


the Brahnio Somaj — desired to engage Clcora’vS ser- 
vices two liours a day in the instruction of his wife 
and dangliters in English and music. But fortunately 
all such temptations were resisted, and it was a sur- 
prise to tlie other missionaries to see these new-comers 
able in a few months to carry on a very satisfactory 
conversation with the natives, and Mr. Litchfield 
qualified to lead in prayer in Hindi, and even to ven- 
tiu-e on simple public address. 

In part, indeed, the secret was the start of several 
months’ instruction by that returned missionary, in 
the home land ; but chiefly their success was due to 
the singleness of purpose witli which they pursued the 
object of language-acquisition, and the settled firm- 
ness of their resolution to resist all temptations to be 
diverted by other work. 

It was found very much more difficult than they 
had supposed to decide upon a plan for building. 
Four thousand dollars had been appropriated by the 
Society, and with this amount Llewellyn and Cleora 
would have preferred to build a single house with 
chapel, dwelling and school, all under one large, 
hi oh roof. 

o 

But, then, the English and American travellers 
were daily passing through Agra, and the new mission 
premises would be under constant inspection, that is, 
upon the outside, by those who would largely mould 
the mission sentiment at home. If all the depart- 
ments of the station should be in one building, nine 
out of every ten foreigners would report that the Agra* 
missionaries lived in grand style, had as large a house 


254 


SELF-GIVING, 


as any of the government officials or English mercliants, 
and that it was all nonsense to claim that they had 
made great personal sacrifices in order to go to India 
and lielp christianize the natives. 

‘‘We must guard against this, Cleora,” remarked 
Llewellyn seriously and thoughtfully. 

“Yes,” was the reply; “we must not forget tliat 
we are dealing also witli the home world left behind, 
and a world as it is, not as we could wish it to be.” 

“If travellers would only come inside and see for 
themselves ! but they will not, if even you with all 
your winning w^ays, Cleora, stand at the gate entreat- 
mg. 

“ And yet,” she added with sarcastic expression, 
“ they are all sure to investigate the monkey temple 
in Benares, and the alligator pond near Kurrachee, 
and to know all about the obscene worship of Kali- 
Ghat ! ” 

“Yes,” continued Llewellyn; “travelling makes 
many people act very strangely. I hear that a com- 
pany of two New York clergymen and tliree promi- 
nent Boston laymen were lounging around the Taj 
and the fort all day yesterday ; and their guide tells 
me they did not make any inquiries about mission- 
aries and mission work, much less ask to be conducted 
to any of our premises.” 

The decision was to have three small buildings ; the 
chapel the largest, the dwelling, and then the school. 

The chapel question was not simply. How many will 
*be likely to need accommodation ? It was to be an 
honest, earnest invitation to the masses, and also an 


JtETREyCUMENT ORDERED. 


255 


assurance to foreis^n travellers that the missionaries’ 
object was truly Christ- like. 

The school building was to be a very small and 
humble affair. As soon as the Government Commis- 
sioner of Schools learned that it was not desioned to 
accommodate more than a score of pupils, he called to 
enter his protest. 

‘‘ Are }’ou so straitened in your mission funds, 
Mr. Litchfield, that you cannot erect a larger school 
building ? ” 

“ We have thought, Captain Selbey, that it would 
be adapted to our purpose.” 

“ O, no ; you should arrange to accommodate a 
hundred scholars. We will make an appropriation of 
a hundred and fifty pounds to lielp you. Then there 
\!^ill be the regular annual ‘ grants-in-aid ; ’ I dare say 
quite as much as your Missionary Society will appro- 
priate.” 

“No, Captain Selbey. We have thought of this 
matter very carefulh\ Important as is a government 
system of general education, absolutely necessary as 
it is to British rule in India that 3^011 cover the land 
with a vast network of common schools, we have not 
come to take part in it. I will not question the mo- 
tives of government, although it is evidentl}^ a very 
economical plan to propose to Mission Societies that 
they go to the expense of sending hither hundreds of 
thoroughly educated missionaries, supporting them, 
and then pajdng half or two tliirds of the cost of build- 
ing your schoolhouses, and of their running ex- 
penses.” 


256 


SELF-GIVING, 


“Blit, Mr. Litchfield, we pass the money over 
entire! V into your luinds. It shows the natives oiir 
confillence in yon, and increases vastly your opportu- 
nities for usefulness.” 

“ This does not appear to me so plain, Captain 
Selbey. You bring ns under very strict regulations 
and supervision. Yon insist that a veiw large pro- 
portion of our time shall be given to teaching English 
and various scientific branches, which have no imme- 
diate and vital connection with our special evangeliz- 
ing mission. Besides, Americans at least have learned 
that the best government patronage of religious enter- 
prise is to let entirely alone.” 

“ Will yon, then, refuse any government ‘ grants-in- 
aid ’ for building or running school expenses 

“No. But we cannot compromise at all the mission- 
ary character of our woi*k in India, We believe in 
Christian schools, as supplementary to the great com- 
mon-school system of government support and super- 
vision. These we shall endeavor to foster, hoping 
to create among the natives themselves a demand 
for the supply. The school upon our compound 
is to be a visible expression of our idea, not an enter- 
prise beyond the possible realization of every con- 
siderable Christinn community in all this great land. 
If in such work you are disposed to aid us, we shall 
be thankful. But it must be our work, for which our 
services are already entirely engaged.” 

The chapel was the first building completed. Im- 
patient to leave the dak bungalow and save its 
expense, they had a temporary partition made in one 


RETRENCHMENT ORDERED, 


257 


end of the chapel, where they commenced house- 
keeping again. A curtain gave them two rooms. 

A native preacher was secured from Bombay, and 
very encouraging public services were commenced. 
Beginning to dispense largely with the help of their 
interpreter, they hired him to open a little school in 
the public part of the chapel. 

Meanwhile, work continued upon the dwelling and 
school building, until they were enclosed and roofed. 

Ah ! little did they think that a very dark day of 
their missionary life had come ! It was a letter from 
the Rooms. Some word of encouragement amid their 
labors and sacrifices so abundant ? Some unexpected 
appropriation to enable them to indulge in a little 
more domestic comfort, or to afford a Bible woman or 
extra native preacher ? 

No. It was an order to retrench immediately one 
third in all directions, together with a notification 
that the Committee had decided not to make good to 
the missionaries in India the depreciation of the silver 
rupee. 

Cleora cried, and Llewellyn had tears he could not 
shed. Here they were in the thickest of the fight, 
with their guns at close range aimed at the enemy, 
and their supporters were holding back the ammuni- 
tion ! Here they were manning the life-boat to rescue 
perishing Hindu souls, and Christian multitudes 
crowding the safe shore behind, refusing to give them 
oars ! Here they were down, down, down in Cii rev’s 
dark, damp, dismal India-mine, and none to hold the 
ropes ! 


258 


SELF-GIVING. 


The groaning, tearful silence which followed that 
retrenchment letter, was broken by a kiss from Cleora’s 
lips upon Llewellyn’s wrinkled brow. 

God knows all about it, my love,” she said. 

“ I suppose he does.” 

“ No supposing at all, dear. Do you suppose I love 
you ? ” and her arms were quickly around his neck, 
and her head upon his shoulder. 

“Angel of heaven,” responded Llewellyn with long 
embrace, “ I do not deserve such a helper.” 

“Ah, dear! we appreciate each other, but we must 
not depreciate the watch-care, and wisdom, and love, of 
the all-leading One. You know how the song goes, 

' Llewellyn. I cannot sing it now, for the tears keep 
coming so fast ; but you remember ” — 

Sometimes, mid scenes of deepest gloorm 
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom, 

By w'aters still, o’er troubled sea, ' 

Still ’tis his hand that leadeth me ! 

Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine, 

Nor ever murmur nor repine, 

Content, whatever lot I see, 

Since ’tis my God that leadeth me. 

They agreed that it was not to be thought of for a 
moment, to ask help of her father. He would certainly 
refuse, and only be glad that a sore extremity had 
come to them, that might send them home the sooner. 

To sell off that extra acre of land was tried in vain. 

Over the depreciated rupee question tliey did not 
allow themselves much trouble. In the same mail a 


RETRENCHMENT ORDERED, 


259 


paper came from the missionaries of their Society in 
Bombay, protesting in severe and indignant language 
against the action of the Committee, but Llewellyn 
and Cleora refused to sign it, feeling that there was a 
better way to secure enough to tide them over tlm 
silver crisis. They believed it preferable to refrain 
from censure and insinuation, and simpW to send full 
information, and to remain upon the heart of the 
executive officers and of the churches. 

For similar reasons they agreed it was not wise to 
solicit help in their emergency from leading home 
churches and laymen. It was taking unfair advantage 
of the mission treasury in its evident embarrassment. 
The benefit their own station would receive might be 
doing a great wrong to the general cause. They had 
been working hard and successfully, but now had 
come a time for patiently waiting on the Lord. 

To the providential necessities of the situation they 
received grace enough to promptly and uncomplain- 
ingly yield. All work upon the dwelling and school- 
lioLise was stopped immediatel}^ except the boarding 
up of windows and doors to preserve the buildings. 
The native preacher and the teacher were both dis- 
missed, Llewellyn determining, though, with his imper- 
fect knowledge of the language, to do tlie preaching 
himself, and Cleora deciding to add to her cares the 
keeping of the little school. The cabinet organ they 
had lately ordered to save her voice in teaching the 
natives to sing, was countermanded. And to pay off 
the workmen and contractors, Cleora’s beautiful 
watch, the last keepsake of home, was sold. 


CHAPTER XXV. 


A LITTLE HINDERING HELPER. 

I T was a baby girl ; eight pounds, three and a half ^ 
ounces. 

‘‘ Just like her mother ! ” or, “ The very picture of 
her father I ” they all said. Probably the former 
judgment was the nearest right, as the little stranger’s 
hair was of golden hue. 

The subject of naming the child had been discussed 
by the parents for many hours, and it was decided 
that it should be either Llewellyn or Cleora ; and so 
it was Cleora. 

The father’s awkwardness in handling the infant, 
and his unmistakable bashfulness in her presence were 
suitably rebuked by the elderly and maternal mission- 
aries of the other Societies. 

It was very amusing to observe how much absence 
of mind he manifested for several da}^s. Once he 
started for the bazaar without his hat. Twice he was 
found studying his Bible upside down. Shocking to 
relate, although a missionary, he forgot to say his 
prayers one morning, until reminded of his neglect by 
Cleora. And frequently he found himself strolling 
into her room, for what he could not possibly tell. 

2G0 


A LITTLE HINDERING HELPER. 


261 


Of course there was much interference, not only 
with her missionary work, but with his also. He could 
not be engaged in phrenological examinations, and at 
the same time be visiting the out-stations of his dis- 
trict. It was out of the question that he should be 
enforcing the truth upon calling friends that it was 
the most remarkable baby that had ever been born, 
and at the same time be discussing in the bazaar the 
relative merits of Christianity and Hinduism. 

There was a deal of unavoidable extra expense, 
although no third plate was immediately set upon the 
table. The second day in his absent-mindedness, Llew- 
ellyn hastened to purchase a tiny knife and fork, but 
it was of no service. He protested that lie meant 
them only for playthings, but Cleora told him that was 
equally silly. 

An ayah, or child’s nurse, was secured, but then this 
one required an assistant to do the more menial 
nursery-work. And there were other extras, which 
compelled Llewellyn to borrow a hundred rupees for 
six months, at three per cent per month interest. This 
was an exorbitant charge for the accommodation, but 
the hardest part of it was that a brother-missionary 
consented to receive it from him. The excuse was, 
that thirty-six per cent was the ruling rate of interest 
among the natives, which was true, though there was 
nothing like the usual native risk in lending so small 
an amount for so short a time to a brother-missionary. 

A cutcha transaction for a pucka baby ! ” ex- 
claimed Llewellyn to himself, in the new Anglo-Indian 
dialect, as he turned away with the money in hand. 


262 


SELF-GIVING. 


Cleora’s school had to be dismissed for a long three 
months’ vacation, and her husband was compelled to 
abandon some of his prospected mission tours among 
the surroundiiig villages. 

“ What has all that pounding meant to-day ? ” 
inquired Cleora ; “ I thought all the carpenter-work 
had been stopped.” 

Wait another hour,” replied Llewellyn, ‘‘and I 
will show you when I come in again.” 

“ Why, my dear husband, what is it ? It looks like 
a cofBn.” 

“ No ; it is a cradle ; see the rockers ! ” 

“ O, 3^es! Where did you get them?” 

“ Off of my stud}" rocking-chair.” 

“ But it is twice too long.” 

“Nonsense. It is only five feet.” 

“ And where did you find that cover for your box? 
It is exactly like your study gown.” 

“ I do not care about it any more.” 

“You foolish boy ! Now tack on your slippers for 
handles, and you will have it all right.” 

It was a very delicate child. The mother had had 
to work too hard, and of late under too great a burden 
of disappointment and anxiety. Half of the time, the 
first year of the little life, the baby was ill, and when 
she became old enough to notice objects and to show 
preferences, it was A^erj^ evident that no one could 
relieve the mother so much of the infant’s care as the 
father'. Then Cleora had a long run of fever, and 
many, many times Llewellyn found it necessary to sit 
up with her all night. 


A LITTLE HINDERING HELPER. 


263 


When to this subsequent and tedious sickness the 
English practising physician of Agra was called, 
Cleora had a few plain words with him. 

I think I understand, Doctor Hazard, the situation 
as between missionaries and the medical profession in 
these heathen lands. We are the poorest part of your 
practice ; generally so poor as to be worthless. You 
know that usually we are not able to pay a quarter of 
what you charge others, and, as a rule, you would 
prefer to have us go home. So whenever you have 
an opportunity to prescribe a return to England or to 
America, you are sure to improve it. Now in this 
sickness I want no sucli direction from you unless it 
is absolutely necessary. In this, please treat me as if 
I were the wife of an English official or mercliant, and 
able to give the regular gold mohur for every call.” 

However, it would be a very hasty and one-sided 
assumption to conclude that the little stranger had been 
so great a hindrance as to prove a real calamity to the 
Agra mission. God who had dropped the angel- 
infant from heaven into those two toiling, weary, 
lonely hearts, had not overlooked the evangelizing 
interests of that important station. It had been a 
vine of his own planting, and the babj^-advent was 
only the extending of the roots out a little farther in 
the unseen ground. 

The neighboring Roman Catholic missionaries 
noticed a large increase in the number of natives 
daily congregating upon the Protestant compound. 
They doubled their efforts at family-visitation, and 
offered still larger inducements in the way of bribes 


264 


SELF-GIVING. 


and indulgences, but the new baby proved tlie more 
powerful attraction. 

One day Mr. Litchfield’s teacher overheard in the 
bazaar this bit of conversation among several Hindu 
men : 

‘‘ Wonderful — such a commotion over a baby-girl ! ” 
“Yes; those Americans make quite as much ado as 
we would over a boy.” 

“A very absurd and ridiculous custom ! ” 

“ I am not so sure of that. It may be right.” 

“ It must be that such women as Mrs. Litchfield 
have souls. She has as much knowledge, and more 
goodness, than any of us.” 

“ She can read, and write, and talks common sense, 
and will doubtless bring up to be like herself, this 
little thing of a girl, which we would as like as not 
throw to the crocodiles in the Ganges, if the English 
soldiers were not in the way.” 

“ I do not wonder that the American is proud of his 
wife, and of the little thing that may be like her. I 
wonder if it is Christianity that makes all the differ- 
ence ? ” 

“ There is not so much to interest me in their invisi- 
ble God and unseen heaven, but there is argument in 
a Christian mother, who has had all the advantages of 
a Christian ancestry and a Christian training.” 

, “And in making something of a baby-girl.” 

“Yes. It just knocks our Hinduism, no mistake. 
Of course their Bible is not equal to our Rig-Veda, 
and they have no literature to compare with our 
Ramayana and Maha-bharata ; but look at their 


A LITTLE HINDERING HELPER, 


265 


women, their mothers, their girls, and then look at 
ours ! ” 

‘‘ No comparison ! ” 

“ Queens and slaves ! ” 

“ Gods and worms ! ” 

Cleora was largely reconciled to lying there help- 
lessly so many weeks, by the evident impressions for 
good being made upon scores of native women, mostly 
Hindus, though a few Moslems also called to see 
the foreign baby and its mother. It was quite touch- 
ing to hear many of their exclamations of wonderment. 
“ Think of it. They are happy over A GIRL ! ” 
Perhaps we do have souls as well as men ! ” 

1 wish I had not thrown my baby into — oh ! ” 

“ The Christian’s God must have a heart ! ” 

“ My girl-baby shall have no more poison ! ” 

And they shall not have mine to bring up for a 
prostitute, if I can redeem her with the work of my 
hands ! ” 

“ See ! Her papa is kissing her ! My baboo would 
no more kiss a baby-girl than he would kiss a 
snake ! ” 

u Why ! the mother is smiling ! All sunshine on 
her face ! Perhaps it comes from her religion.’' 

“The missionary says: Their Jesus took little 
girls as well as little boys up into his arms and blessed 
them. Perhaps He makes the difference.” 

“Look at him, placing the pillow for his wife, and 
giving her the medicine with his own hands. We 
never dreamed of the like before ; there must be purer 
love than ours, and from whence can it come ? ” 


266 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ My wrists and ankles are loaded with gold and 
silver rings, and 1 would give them all to know really 
if I have a soul, and whether there is love for me, if 
not in this world, in another ! ” 

Sometimes while Llewellyn sat with his daily Bible- 
class, it became necessary, in order to pacify the poor 
little girl, to take her to him. It was a strange sight, 
that spoke volumes to the Hindu men. 

Nor was it all the excitement of mere novelty. Deep 
impressions were made in the minds and hearts of 
many heathen men and women. Mahometans as well 
as Hindus felt the attractive power of the womanhood 
and the manhood and the childhood of that Christian 
home. Many of the former acknowledged frankly — at 
least to their own thoughts — The Koran breathes no 
such benediction upon human life. And a still larger 
number of the latter felt that the true light came not 
from the Avatars of Vishnu, nor the Lingam of Siva. 

The light of a Christian home had been fully 
kindled in that great, dense, heathen darkness. 
Cleora’s father relented to the extent of allowing his 
wife to send a five hundred dollar present for the 
baby, which enabled them to complete the dwelling. 
Besides, the executive officers of their Mission Society 
had been specially roused by their imimbittered 
spirit of resignation and heroism, and by their own 
sacrifices made up the deficiency, telegraphing to 
Agra — ‘‘All estimates restored.” And when at the 
end of the year Llewellyn and Cleora thanked God 
for his blessing upon their mission, they specially 
thanked him for the little hindering helper. 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


TRANSLATION AND OUT-STATIONS. 

A fter the young missionaries had begun to 
feel at home in the Hindi language, they 
resolved on doing something toward supplying the 
pressing need of a native Christian literature. Prob^ 
ably they had never experienced a greater surprise in 
their lives, than in discovering what an extensive 
heathen literature exists in India, as also how enter- 
prising have been the foes of evangelical Christianity, 
heart and hand with Hindu, Moslem and Buddhist 
leaders, in translating infidel books and periodicals 
and in circulating them among the then two hundred 
and forty million of the great empire. 

The entire Bible had already been translated by 
other missionaries, so Llewellyn commenced work 
upon Buii3^an’s “ Pilgrim’s Progress,” and Cleora upon 
a much needed elementary catechism. As they pur- 
sued these tasks, they encountered unexpected diffi- 
culty. It was found that a book-knowledge and for- 
mal acquaintance with the language was one thing, 
and quite another to be able to select words that 
should clearly express the new religious ideas and 
prove at home among native thought. In conversa- 

267 


268 


SELF-GIVING. 


tion and in public address their features and manners 
were a lielp, which could not accompany the printed 
page. Many a paragraph in manuscript had to be 
revised and rewritten after it had been submitted to 
natives, and they had been asked to tell what it 
meant to them. 

One room of their dwelling was turned into a print- 
ing-office. Type and a hand-press, as also a compositor, 
were secured from Calcutta, and fortunately one of 
their own servants found nothing in his caste-rules 
inconsistent with his acting as press-man. Forms had 
to be sent to the capital for stereotyping, and there 
also, at first, it was necessary to arrange for all their 
better binding. 

Very carefully was computed the cost beyond their 
own personal labor of every book, and even of every 
tract that was issued from their humble beginning of 
a publishing establishment. They saw abundant evi- 
dence that the time had come when the natives 
would purchase all that they could supply of Chris- 
tian literature, and, having purchased, would esteem 
the more highly, and allow to accomplish among them 
the more good. 

A little store was opened in the bazaar for the sale 
of Bibles, books and tracts, and placed in charge of 
one of their most trusted young men converts. The 
success of this, as well as of the publishing enterprise 
was so apparent that a leading Hindu capitalist of 
Agra offered to invest a thousand pounds in erecting 
a suitable building upon a leased corner of the mission- 
ground, supplying it with more type, and in perfect- 


TRANSLATION AND OUT-STATIONS. 


269 


ing arrangements for stereotyping and binding. He 
was willing that the establishment should be entirely 
under Mission direction, print only the material which 
the missionaries furnished, and derive its profits from 
the expense saved through the larger facilities and 
the stopping of the express charges to and from Cal- 
cutta. Thougli with some hesitancy, Mr. Litchfield 
accepted the proposition, and the future proved that 
the arrangement was wise and providential. 

When thus it became possible, Cleora felt that she 
must commence a child’s paper in Hindi. There 
were many thousand boys, at least, in Agra and 
vicinity who could read, but for whom there was only 
heathen literature, ponderous as the Ramayana and 
Maha-bliarata, or frivolous and sensuous as the 
Puranas and Tontras. This also was a success, and 
soon a thousand copies monthly were sold at a price 
to cover all expense. The Tract Society in London, 
and other publishing houses in England and America 
gladly loaned her many illustrative plates, which 
added largely to the popularity of her paper, named 

The Helping Hand.” 

Too soon Llewellyn was tempted to undertake a 
commentary upon the Gospel according to Luke, in 
the Urdu language, the widely spoken “language of 
the camp,” generally known as Hindustani, and pre- 
vailing among the Mahometan populations of India. 
He had been a diligent student of Urdu as well as of 
Hindi ; but not being called upon to use it as much in 
conversation with the people, he* had far from mas- 
tered it ; and when he had finished his task, he 


270 


SELF-GIVING, 


learned what many other missionaries, or at least 
their successors have learned, that the results were 
comparatively worthless. 

Tiie theological class was a very encouraging 
department of his work. There were two, subse- 
quently increased to six young men, giving bright 
evidences of conversion and call to the ministiy, and 
laboring faithfully under his instruction to become 
qualified to preach the Gospel. The missionary did 
not feel that it was wise to siq^port them entirely 
with mission funds, but furnislied them with various 
regular tasks, especially in the publishing house and 
in colportage work, whereby they were enabled 
largely to provide their own food and clothing. For 
their accommodation a little dormitory extension was 
built to tlie schoolhouse, where also their services 
enabled the station to dispense with the hired teacher. 

Ah, indeed, how the w^ork was accumulating upon 
these two earnest, conscientious missionaries ! Almost 
every month seemed to bring another mountain upon 
their shoulders. At times they felt as if God was 
requiring them to carry the Himalayas. Why, why 
were reinforcements so long delayed! Why, at least, 
did not Providence remove the difficulties in the way 
of the coming of Margaret Kilburne to their assist- 
ance ! They had been only two years upon the field, 
and 3^et they both looked ten years older than when 
they landed at Calcutta. 

The weekly union prayer-meeting, wdiich the Agra 
missionaries of the various Societies sustained, was a 
help, yet it added to the load. It took valuable time, 


TRANSLATION AND OUT-STATIONS. 


271 


which is a consideration with very busy, conscientious 
people, however those who are forever scolding the 
absentees from their unprepared and tiresome taking- 
part,’' may regard it. At times Llewellyn and Cleora 
felt fed, but generally they had to feed the others. 
The other missionary women were very reluctant to 
say anything, tliat is, until the meeting was over : and 
one of the English brethren was always harping upon 
his ‘‘sanctification” that time when a woman put her 
hand on his head ; a recital that never edified any but 
himself. 

If the calls had not been so frequent and persistent 
for native family visitation throughout the city, and 
for village touring in the districts around Agra, Mr. 
and Mrs. Litchfield might have yielded almost entirely, 
as have many, to the temptation of limiting their 
labors to the comparatively comfortable sphere of their 
own compound. Indeed, there was enough there for 
them to do, even with double their capacity for work. 
But they could not so read the great commission — 
“ Go ye.” 

“ I cannot preach, and I cannot teach and write as 
I should, unless I visit among the people,” was 
Llewellyn’s frequent remark, as he drove himself away 
out of sight of his chapel and theological class and 
book-making table. 

“ Audi must know these children and their mothers 
in their own homes, or I shall not understand them 
and how to deal with them,” was Cleora’s wise 
response ; yet a determination more difficult to be 
realized. 


272 


SELF-GlVlt^G. 


During the travelling season of the year Mr. Litch- 
field accomplished several village-tours, ranging from 
one to three weeks in length. Pie was accustomed to 
do most of his journeying on horseback, carrying his 
small tent, bed and accoutrements in a bandy, which 
was drawn by a yoke of trotting oxen, and driven by 
his Christian servant, who had learned the follies of 
caste and had become really useful at all kinds of camp 
work, 

Llewellyn could find no dak bungalow accommoda- 
tions except in the larger towns and along the main 
roads. And as all the houses in the native villages 
are mere straw-thatched mud hovels, often besmeared 
within and without with sacred cow-dung, and gener- 
ally inhabited in large numbers by the pestiferous 
insects which the Hindus consider a sin to kill, there 
could be no question of the wisdom of the expense and 
trouble necessary in order to be provided always with 
a tent. 

Three times a day he would preach in as many suc- 
cessive villages, generally in the presence of a large, 
orderly and respectful congregation. Then he would 
spend an hour conversing with those who lingered, and 
these ‘‘inquiry meetings,” as he called tliem, were 
often the most exacting upon his strength, as well as 
most richly blessed to the hearts and consciences of 
the natives. 

It was not enough for him to be able to tell over and 
over again the “old, old story of Jesus and his love.” 
All his resources of information, and tact, and logic, 
and illustration were in constant requisition. 


TUANSLATION AND OUT-STATIONS, 


273 


One clay a Brahman threw into his face — 

“ Yon Christians do not agree among yourselves. 
You should first harmonize your own beliefs, before 
you ask us to believe as you do.” 

“ You are all Hindus, I see by your caste marks,” 
replied Llewellyn. 

‘‘ Yes, yes.” 

“ And how many Hindus are there in your country ?” 
“ More than one hundred and seventy millions.” 

Do all believe in Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, and in 
the authority of the Puranas ? ” 

“ Yes, indeed.” 

Yet I know that some of you believe that the soul 
of man and God are the same ; others that they are 
not tlie same at all ; and still others that there is a 
resemblance. And I know that these three sects 
among you are subdivided ninety-six times. I do not 
think that you should say anything about denomina- 
tions among Christian people.” 

At the close of a discourse upon idol-worship, a very 
intelligent Sudra -remarked : 

“How do you know? Your religion is not as old 
as ours.” 

“ But your religion was very different in its earlier 
history. Your Puranas and Tontras, indeed, teach 
idol-worship, and you will find germs of your system 
of idolatry in your two great national epics, the 
Ramavana and the IMaha-bharata, and even as far back 
as your Institutes of Menu; but not in your Vedas. 
I challenge any Brahman to show me in the Rig»Veda 
anything like idolatry, except the inculcation of a 


274 - 


SELF-GIVING. 


general worship of the powers of nature. Your ancient 
religion, was a spiritual pantheism, close to the Chris- 
tian doctrine of the unity and omnipresence of God. 
But your modern Hinduism, which is popularized 
Brahmanism, has drifted far off into practical poly- 
theism. Besides, your venerated Vedic religion knew 
nothing of your present universal belief in tlie trans- 
migratian of souls.” 

Occasionally a goodly number of high-caste people 
would first assemble in front of his tent, but always 
retire at least a hundred feet upon the missionary’s 
giving any special attention to those below them in 
the social scale. Llewellyn remembered seeing some- 
thing like this in America. 

Two or three times on his village touring he passed 
the pompous processions of the high priests of Vishnu 
and Siva. It was a great contrast, the humble mis- 
sionary on his horse, followed by an ox-cart, and the 
proud, liigh Brahman, wdth his train of gold and sil- 
ver-covered elephants, accompanied by thousands of 
retainers. But bright angels innumerable rejoiced in 
the services of the one, while the}" veiled their faces 
in sorrow over the blasphemy and pestilence of the 
other. 

There was one village, iMidnapatam, thirty-six miles 
southw^est from Agra, which Llewellyn specially loved 
to visit. It w'as a small hamlet, but had had its tem- 
ple, its Brahman priest, and its two dancing-girls. 
The latter were the sisters of the priest, and together 
they pursued their loathsome calling in the w^orship 
of the Lingam of Siva. But the love of Jesus puri- 


TRANSLATION AND OUT-STATIONS. 


275 


fied even these lives. The temple became a Christian 
chapel. The sisters and the brother learned to serve 
the Divine Master, even better than they had served 
Satan. And whenever afterward Llewellyn visited 
them, he felt that he knew somewhat of how Jesus 
felt when he visited Bethany. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 


HINDERED TO BE MOST HELPFUL. 

T he long waiting was very hard for Margaret 
Kilburne. Sometimes she had to pray very ear- 
nestly and strive very heroically for a sufficiency of 
the grace of Christian patience. There were those who 
told her she should not strive at all, but in a very 
placid, lullaby fashion go to sleep upon the promises 
of God, and wake up with all the needed resignation 
and fortitude, as well as every other element of per- 
fect character. But Margaret was better informed, 
and indeed was not constituted for any such self-de- 
ception. At the beginning she had had to “strive 
to enter in at the strait gate,” and all her subse- 
quent experience had been like Paul’s, ‘a running a 
race,’ a ‘ pressing toward the mark for the prize of 
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’ 

Even though resigned to the disappointment, it 
was still a disappointment over which she shed many 
tears. Tlie spirit became perfectly willing to obey 
God, though the flesh was weak. She came and laid 
her sorrow at the feet of Jesus, but it was by herself 
also remaining there. Often she besought the Lord 

that the thorn might depart from her, but his only 

276 


HINDERED TO BE MOST HELPFUL, 


277 


reply was, “ My grace is sufficient for thee : for my 
strength is made perfect in weakness.” 

The chief difficulty was that the mission-interest 
in ‘‘ woman’s work for woman ” had not yet practi- 
cally matured. A few in the different branches 
of the Church were quite zealous, and at several sta- 
tions in the heathen world single women -missionaries 
were laboring very efficiently. But the majority of 
the leaders of the Societies were looking upon the 
movement with very conservative eyes, and the future 
will probably demonstrate that they were not alto- 
gether wrong. All the funds that could be collected 
for this auxiliary department of work were required 
to support those already sent, and it continued im- 
possible for the Woman’s Union Society in New York 
even to release the ‘‘Cleora-Margaret Fund ’’from pre- 
vious obligations, though it was so eminently desir- 
able that Miss Kilburne’s work should draw from it, 
in the Agra station to which she had been assigned. 

Why so few of her sisters in the churches felt as 
she felt in regard to the obligation of Christian 
women to enter upon a special labor of love for their 
own degraded and enslaved sex throughout the 
lieathen world, Margaret often pondered. Probably 
the time was not ripe for the movement ; and in the 
wise providence of God, that which was necessarily 
to be auxiliary, was permitted a painfully slow growth ; 
painful to Margaret andCleora, and Llewellyn and Mrs. 
Doremus, and others, that the general cause which 
was to be aided, might become better deserving of 
the assistance ; the helped more worthy of the helper. 


278 


SELF-GIVING. 


Formally accepted as a missionary of the Society, 
and appointed to Agra, and yet compelled to linger 
over two years in America ! Ah ! it is one thing for 
the executive officers of the mission societies of the 
churches to do their part faithfully and well, and 
another for their constituency to make effective the 
formal acts of their representatives at the Rooms, to 
support with sympath}', and prayer, and money. It 
proved best that Margaret should wait, but it was 
none the less shameful that the hands of her Society 
should be tied so long by the lack of mission interest 
among Christian women, after a laborer so well qual- 
ified had been secured, and a field so important was 
calling for her services. 

In after years jMargaret considered this long w^ait- 
ing-time the golden period of her life. Her Chris- 
tian character developed and matured beautifully, and 
much valuable fruit w^as gathered from her work 
among others. She continued as a teacher in the 
same school with increased salary, and almost every 
w^eek her contributions appeared in one or two of the 
Chicago papers. 

By diligent correspondence, much visiting and 
many addresses at women’s meetings, Miss Kilburne 
was enabled to establish over a score of efficient mis- 
sion circles in as many different churches, to secure 
the circulation of mission periodicals in more than 
three hundred families, and to persuade four clergy- 
men to the appointment and support of missionary 
concerts and to the stated preaching of mission ser- 
mons. 


HINDERED TO BE MOST HELPFUL. 


279 


Two others, pastors of leading chu^’ches in the 
western part of Cliicago, met all her efforts in a very 
cold, repelling manner. One of them told her he did 
not believe in raising money for foreign missionaries; 
and that those who went to labor in heathen lands, 
should support themselves in their work as he did. 
The other said they had a church debt to raise, and 
it would not be wise to divert attention. Moreover, 
he intimated that she was making herself very con- 
S23icuous by assuming to advise ministers and churches 
as to their duty. In her trial with these two selfish 
clergymen, Margaret finally arranged with two other 
mission women to join her in praying daily for them 
and their churches, that their union might become 
enlisted in the great cause of world evangelization, 
or be broken. God answered their prayers by unset- 
tling the pastorates. 

One of the most trying features of Miss Kilburne’s 
home work in the cause of foreign missions was an 
inexcusable jealousy on the part of the Illinois State 
secretary of one of the societies, in whose field she 
had accomplished her largest results. This man had 
long held the situation, and though his years of effi- 
ciency had passed, he felt as if he owned the position, 
and that it would be base ingratitude and injustice 
for the denomination to deprive him of liis salary. 
The only special energy he seemed to manifest was 
in securing opportunities for supplying pastorless 
churches, and thus somewhat questionably increasing 
his income. In his quarterly and annual reports, the 
leading anxiety manifested was to convince the Board 


280 


SELF-GIVING. 


of Control that no human agency in his district could 
accomplish more than he was accomplishing. Hence 
when afire with a larger measure of the Master's 
spirit, Margaret stirred herself to the accomplishment 
of far more in Chicago and vicinity than resulted 
from the well-paid services of the State secretary, 
there was a little reign of terror in that office on State 
street ; several more than the usual number of pulpit 
supplies were neglected for the legitimate work of can- 
vassing the churches ; and though the official reports 
were very hilarious over the direct results of Miss 
Kilburne’s work, all reference to her was carefully 
avoided. Pains, however, were taken to make special 
mention of a “ noble woman ” in Cairo, at the other 
extreme end of the State, who had secured a score of 
subscribers for the Missionarg Monthly., and had 
organized two mission-circles. An added reason for 
the slight and partiality was probably that the Cairo 
woman was reported wealthy, while Margaret was oidy 
a schoolteacher. 

And yet all the time this Illinois secretary professed 
to be Miss Kilburne’s best friend. He did not really 
mean to act the part of a hypocrite, but his self- 
interests were so strong as to quite compel him to 
say and write to her very differently from the general 
character of his conversation and correspondence 
regarding her and her work. 

It was an added lesson Margaret needed to learn ; 
that the more thoroughly one becomes acquainted 
with any great and good cause intrusted to human 
hands, the more surely will be found shadows as 


HINDERED TO BE MOST HELPFUL. 


281 


well as sunshine ; bitter dregs as well as sweetened 
draughts ; thorns as well as roses on the vines. It was 
best she should know that among ministers and mis- 
sion-agents, and even among missionaries themselves, 
there is a lamentable amount of self-seeking ; of mere 
professional enterprise, and of fraternal regard that 
is no better, and often far worse, than the social feel- 
ings of the world. Christ only is perfect. Human 
efforts under him, in proportion to their worthiness, 
are certain to be the more frequently counterfeited. 
Margaret had learned not to be surprised nor dis- 
couraged by such revelations, but only to be made the 
more careful and conscientious, and the more stead- 
fast in her “looking unto Jesus.” 

Her favorite hymn was : 


Nearer, my God, to thee, 

Nearer to thee ; 

E’en though it be a cross 
That raiseth me. 

“ Not crosses, my sister, but faith,” urged one of a 
band of “ Higher Life Christians,” who had made per- 
sistent and obtrusive efforts to win her over to their 
denomination. “You may be as near Christ, and as 
like him this instant as you want to be, if you will 
only believe that it is so.” 

Not long after, this same excellent and comfortably 
situated woman invited Margaret to a tea and “ faith 
meeting ” at her residence. 

“We have all been sanctified but you, Miss Kil- 


282 


SELE-GIVING, 


burne,” whispered the hostess to Margaret upon her 
right. 

Brother Jilson,” she continued aloud, ‘‘ please tell 
niy young friend how it was that you stepped into the 
marvellous liglit.” 

He told, but Margaret did not care to hear ; for she 
recognized him as luiviiig plagiarized in a sermon from 
one of her own newspaper contributions. 

“I was one of those fifty sanctified at Ocean Grove 
on that Sunday of wonderful power,” remarked a 
young lady whose cheeks were painted, eyebrows 
pencilled, fingers loaded with rings, and waist com- 
pressed to half its natural size. 

‘‘ Did you ever meet a Mrs, Yonkin there ? ” in- 
quired Margaret. 

O, yes,” replied the young lady, after she had 
made two or three corset-gasps ; “ what a queer name ! 
We all heard of her, and that her character is not con- 
sidered very good.” 

‘‘ Indeed ! ” exclaimed Margaret. 

“ It is said that she takes morphine, and has not 
really any husband ; and there are very unpleasant 
stories about her house in Detroit.” 

‘‘Have any of these ‘ hear-says ’ been proved?” 
inquired Margaret. 

“ Not that I know of ; but then ” — 

“ I beg pardon, sisters,” interrupted another ; “ but 
I heard a lady say, that she heard a Detroit lady say, 
that she feared there was ground for these rumors.” 

I always endeavor not to entertain suspicions 
upon such grounds,” quietly observed Margaret. 


niNDERED TO BE MOST HELPFUL. 


283 


f 

“By the by, Sister Yonkiii — I mean our dear Sister 
Hawley, our hostess,’' observed a man whom Margaret 
knew as having given more trouble to his pastor than 
all the rest of the church together, “have you heard 
that we were to begin the next season’s tent>cam- 
paign close under the shadow of St. John’s Church?” 
“No; indeed! I hope you will give it a shaking.” 
“We do not forget tliat they would not allow us 
their vestry for a weekly prayer meeting.” 

“ If we tear their church all into pieces, it is no 
more than they deserve.” 

“ As for me,” loudly remarked another, “ I would 
rather any day save a person from these churches, 
than to save one from the world.” 

Thoughtful and sorrowful, Margaret a few minutes 
later was standing alone in the bay-window of the 
parlor, when a man’s arm was familiarly thrown 
around her, and, as she indignantly removed it, and 
shrunk back, she recognized to her unspeakable sur- 
prise, the Lake Shore University professor — the 
special friend of Mrs. Hawley. 

One of the most gratifying effects of Margaret’s 
Christian influence was the conversion of her parents. 
Without egotism and censoriousness, she lived Christ 
before them so beautifully, so consistently, that they 
felt and yielded to the divine power. 

Immediately they took a special interest in her 
mission plans; and, as they had come to be in easier 
circumstances, to cooperate, at much expense of time 
and money, in enlisting the interest of the churches.. 
Ill a few months Mr. Kilburne received the appoint^ 


284 


SELF-GIVING, 


iiient of Illinois State secretary in place of Rev. Dr. 
Hynes, removed. And when at last the time came 
for Margaret to start Eastward, toward heathen 
shores, it was beautiful to see the joy of those parents 
in their sacrifice upon Christ’s altar of their only 
beloved daughter.^ 

“We would not have it otherwise if we could,” 
said the happy mother through her tears. 

“No, Margaret,” added Mr. Kilburne, “if I could 
have all the wealth of former years, it would not give 
me as great satisfaction as to feel that a light from 
our family is to shine in the darkness of heathenism.” 

“ Margie,” said the mother, as she came to the last 
kiss, “we would never have known Jesus but for you. 
We never saw him, ‘the chief among ten thousand, 
and the one altogether lovely,’ until we saw him re- 
flected in your character and labors the last two 
years.” 

“Mamma, it almost seems to me I am in Heaven, 
instead of Chicago.” 

“ It is, daughter, the beautiful gate of the temple,” 
observed the father. “ None of us ever made so great 
a sacrifice ; but sacrifice is the entrance to the bright 
world above. Come, the cars will not wait for you.” 

“ Mamma, we must think a great deal of ‘ the 
sweet by and by,’ where there is no separation.” 

“ Only a little while till then, 1113^ daughter,” replied 
the father as he moved nervousl}^ about, seeking to 
furnish an example of self-possession. 

“We will pray for each other every daj% father, 
mother dear ; will we not ? ” 


HINDERED TO BE MOST HELPFUL. 285 

‘"Yes, daughter, our lives shall henceforth be one 
grateful prayer for you. There now, mother, let her 
go. ’ Unclasp your arms, and trust her with our 
Almighty Friend.” 

Though Margaret was to embark at New York, she 
went first to Boston, to spend a few days with the 
Lyddells, by Cleora’s special request. Besides, a large 
wholesale druggist there was to provide her with a 
medical outfit, for the use of which she had been 
specially preparing by over a year of systematic pri- 
vate reading, and a six months’ course of lectures at 
the Chicago Woman’s Medical College. 

Her visit to the rebuilt Lyddell mansion was like a 
breath of summer on a wintry day. Ever since 
Cleora left, the hearts of her parents remained closed 
and cold and silent. But Margaret was a burst of 
sunlight. Her story of her father’s and mother’s con- 
version, accompanied with her own glowing interest, 
made more impression than all the sermons Mr. and 
Mrs. Lyddell had ever heard. 

Miss Kilburne, I am a great sinner ! Pray for 
me ! ” exclaimed Mr. Lyddell one evening at the close 
of her third story of how it had all been with her 
parents. 

“ And for me too, Margaret,” added Mrs. Lyddell ; 
‘‘my religion also has been a cold, formal profession.” 

“ I will, and oh ! so gladly, too, if you will both fol- 
low me,” she answered. 

And there upon their knees together it was all 
settled with God. Forgiveness was asked for having 

o o 

used this world so selfishly, for having made the self- 


286 


SELF-GIVING. 


giving of their daughter to the missionary life so 
painful, and for waiting almost to the edge of the 
grave for this consecration. 

The next day Mr. Lyddell in a codicil to his will 
mentioned a large amount for missions, arranged to 
release the “ Cleora-Margaret Fund” for the use of 
Miss Kilburne, gave her a sura sufficient to pay for a 
little tour by the way in Europe, and authorized her 
to tell Cleora that she must consider herself and work 
a part again of the family. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 


ZENANAS AND BIBLE-WOMEN. 

WO or three afternoons of every week Cleora 


Litchfield visited the apartments specially re- 
served for the women in the houses of the wealthier 
Hindu classes. Mungaraa Ramjeeawun or Seetama 
Koodrukee, two widows who had been led from dark- 
ness into light and been taught to read by Cleora, gener- 
ally accoiiipanied her, and though they could not ex- 
cite as much curiosity nor command as many courtesies 
as the missionary, they yet had the advantage of per- 
fect familiarity with the language and with the habits 
and customs of the people. These and other Bible- 
women, whom she had in process of training, were a 
feature to the Agra mission of very great promise. 
That her friend Margaret Kilburne was soon to come, 
to take a leading responsibility in this department of 
the varied and enormously increasing work of the 
station, was hopefully and gratefully anticipated. 

Cleora’s introduction to zenana-life was upon the 
cordial invitation of a well-to-do Baboo, a very 
thoroughly educated gentleman, who was anxious that 
his wife should learn to read. He dared not teach 
her himself even the Hindi alphabet, for it would be 
considered a flagrant crime in native society. 



287 


288 


SELF’GIVING. 


The Baboo conducted Cleora through his own ele- 
gant suite of rooms, filled with English furniture, 
arranged witli Indian taste, ornamented chiefly with 
French clocks and glass vases, into the woman’s 
apartment which was cheerless in the extreme. The 
walls were entirely bare, and on the floors there were 
only a few, thin, ragged mats. As the lord of the 
mansion left his guest in this dungeon with his wife, 
he had the thoughtfulness to send a chair for the use 
of the former. 

‘‘ Have you any children ? ” inquired Cleora. 

“ Two sons,” replied the Baboo’s wife. 

“ Have you ever lost any children? ” 

‘‘ None but girls.” 

I am sorry for you, that you lost your daughters.” 
‘‘ It was best to kill them. My first was a girl. If 
the Baboo had been as rich as now, he would not 
have thrown her into the river, for I wanted to keep 
lier. But the others I killed myself with opium? 
though one of them he had to choke a little.” 

‘‘But British law in India has now for many years 
regarded this the same as aii}^ other murder, and 
punishable with death, and I thouglit the terrible 
crime was being driven out of the land.” 

“ Ah, missionar}^ a mother’s love is stronger than 
British law. We know what it is to be a Hindu 
woman. The wretchedness, the slavery at the best, 
and the possibility of widowhood make it cruel for us 
to rear our daughters.” 

“ Then infanticide is very common still ? ” 

“ O, yes. Almost all my friends have killed one 


ZENANAS AND BIBLE-WOMEN. 


289 


or more of their baby-girls, though many people, they 
tell me, are becoming so hard-hearted as to let them 
live. The Baboo’s brother in Umritsur reports three 
hundred ‘stolen by the wolves’ — you know that is 
what they say' to the police — all girls from that city, 
last year. My father lives in Cawnpore, in govern- 
ment employ, and he says that in two hundred and 
sixty-one villages of tliat district there are no girls 
living; and he has lately visited two Thakoor towns 
of the Bustee district, where the census-returns gave, 
in the one, only two girls to one hundred and thirty 
boys ; and in the other no girls to two hundred boys.” 
“To me this is terrible — infernal ! ” 

“You do not know. You are not one of us. We 
Hindu women are good for nothing but marriage. 
Our husbands, however wicked, are really our only 
gods ; our priests, our religion. So say our Shasters, 
which I cannot read, but I have heard them read, 
though never the holy Vedas; they are too holy for 
women.” 

“ Were your babies born in these rooms, or in one 
of those more comfortable apartments through which 
thr Baboo brought me here ? ” 

“ Look ! I will show you.” And the Hindu mother 
arose from the floor and led Cleora to the door. 

“ Do you see that cowshed in the back-yard ? 
There all my children were born. There is a floor 
to the part of it which I had, but it is cement and very 
cold, so they gave me a mat also, and hung up one 
between me and the cows.” 

“ Did your husband and friends visit you there? ” 


290 


SELF-GIVING, 


O, never ! If they looked in, they could not 
touch me until the child — the boy — was twenty-eight 
days old. Meanwhile a coolie-woman kept the shed 
full of dung-smoke, and handed me my food on a 
plantain leaf that was always then thrown away as 
defiled.” 

‘‘Are you the Baboo’s only wife ? ” 

“Yes; but I am always in fear that he will bring 
another one here. If he should, I could not always 
speak kindly of her, and then the code of Menu 
would allow him to divorce me, and throw me out 
where I would be worse off than a dog.” 

“ Have you any sisters ? ” 

“Yes; one. You see my father was away when 
both of us were born, or he surely would have killed 
one at least, and mother had not courage enough to 
deal the most kindlv with us.” 

C/ 

“ Is your sister married ? ” 

‘"She is one of fifty married to a Kulin Brahman. 
She never saw him but once. He does not support 
her, for he is a poor vagabond ; but he very greatly 
honored my sister and our family, for he is of the 
very highest rank among the Brahmans. My father 
paid him a large sum for the honor.” 

Cleora’s zenana-work revealed to her a vast, sad 
world of Indian life. The majority, indeed, of tlie 
Hindu and Mahometan women around her were not 
secluded, yet even among them she was specially 
privileged, and could, with her Bible-women, do a 
work impossible for men, on account of the prevail- 
ing timidity and shrinking and degrading caste-cus- 


ZENANAS AND BIBLE-WOMEN. 


291 


toms. Not, however, because those imprisoned in the 
zenanas and harems of India were of the wealthy 
and aristocratic native families, was Cleora’s interest 
in them warmly enlisted, but because they were t-o 
inaccessible to Christian influences, and bv that 
sovereignty which even in her degradation woman 
must wield over man, and by that other which the 
social customs and prejudices of the higher classes 
ever sustain over the masses beneath them, these 
zenana and harem women appeared to be the sustain- 
ing pillars of Hinduism and of Moslemism ; their 
very life. 

Occasionally the “ purdah-women,” or “ curtain- 
women,” named from the curtains which partly cover 
the doors to the zenana-rooms, were permitted by the 
Baboos to return Cleora’s calls, and thus to show 
special appreciation of her labors and of those of 
her Bible-women. Generally, however, these labors 
would have been more cordially esteemed could the 
evangelizing part have been omitted. The calls 
were made in close carriages, palanquins or bullock- 
carts, with guards and out-runners. If Mr. Litchfield 
or any other man was in the house, it was necessaiy 
for him to leave or be hidden from view. 

One woman told Cleora that her mother was 
killed by her father to wipe out the family disgrace 
of her having once been seen by a passing man. She 
had lowered the slide to her window a little for ven- 
tilation, and thought she was perfectly safe from 
observation, but the man suddenly came into view 
on a very high elephant, and her face was unveiled. 


292 


SELF-GIVING. 


Entering a zenana late one afternoon, Cleorn found 
both the wives cooking food for their husband, and 
she was compelled to wait. As they had no servant 
of the same high caste of the Baboo, it* was impossi- 
ble for his food to be prepared by other than their 
hands. She was not surprised to overhear these two 
women quarrelling at their task. 

A few minutes after they were at libert}', the 
family-barbaress entered to stain the women’s hands 
with henna, and to rehearse the low, extravagant 
stories of the gods and the licentious gossip of the 
neighborhood. 

Cleora listened as this woman, whose conversa- 
tion doubtless represented the prevailing zenana 
thought and social life, told of Hanumaii, the mon- 
key-god, gathering flowers with which to make love 
to the goddess Sita; of the amours of Krishna; of 
how the Brahman sage Bhriga cursed even Vishnu, 
so that he has had to be born into this world nine 
times, and must once more ; of how tlie Braliman 
Agastya drank the oceans fresh in three swallows 
and spit them out salt ; of how this same Brahman 
turned the king Nahusha into a snake ; of how that 
the monkey-god’s hairs were so strong as that each of 
them could carry a mountain on its end ; of the mar- 
riage the day before of two idols, and in- the evening 
of their neighbor Thombo Chettoar to a plantain- 
tree ; of how the little fourteen-year-old Appia in 
the next house had a second child ” — 

“ Stop, please,” exclaimed Cleora to this intermi- 
nable story-teller and gossip, “ and tell me how 


^ ZENANAS AND BIBLEAVOMEN, 


293 


young are the youngest girls who are ever married 
amono’ you.” 

o %/ 

‘‘ Ten is tlie common age, though frequently they 
are mothers before that time. Indeed some are mar- 
ried as young as four or five, but tliey are never 
expected to be mothers until they are ten, or at least 
nine years old.” 

Do you really know of any mothers so very 
young? ” inquired Cleora. 

‘‘I was not quite ten wlien my first baby was 
born,” replied the first wife of the two, who had thus 
far been listening. 

And I had lost three before I was fourteen years 
old,” added the other wife. 

‘‘ Why have you so terribly cruel a custom ? ” 

O,” replied the barbaress, “ the Baboos say it is to 
keep us from being spoiled ; and then our holy books 
teach us ‘ if a daughter is married before six years of 
age, the father ascends after death to the highest 
heaven ; if not before seven, to the second heaven ; 
and if not until the age of ten, he goes to the lowest 
place assigned to the blest.’ And ‘if a girl is not 
married by the time she is eleven years old, all her 
progenitors for many generations will suffer pains and 
penalties in the other world in consequence of the 
neglect of the child’s parents.’ ” 

Into the darkness of this home Cleora then, and at 
other times, sought faithfully to bring the light. 
Often her Bible-women called to read and explain 
God’s word. But the difficulties seemed almost insur- 
mountable. The Baboo was willing that his wives 


294 


SELF-GIVING, 


should receive some education for the sake of his little 
sons, but he wanted them to remain Hindus. 

“In my secret heart, I do believe in your religion,” 
at last acknowledged the second and favorite wife to 
the waiting, watching missionary. 

And the other at least became more tidy in lier 
dress and person, and the boys were encouraged more 
and more to be very attentive to the missionary. All 
this was something, and ground to hope for more. 

Never but once were Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield in- 
tentionally present at a nautch-party, and then it was 
during the first year of their missionary life. Although 
a nautch, or dancing, is considered by Indian yiative 
society an essential part of every entertainment, sec- 
ular or religious, it was evident upon this introduction 
to the custom, that it is as inconsistent for Christians 
to witness such exhibitions as for them to patronize 
the ballet upon the American or English stage. 

But the little son, eight years old, in a zenana 
among the first where Cleora began her work, was to 
be married, and the father liad arranged to celebrate 
the event with a great nautch. Nothing would do 
but that the missionary teacher should be present, and 
she was unwilling to come without her husband. 

The court of the house was covered with canvas and 
bunting, ornamented with rich drapery and a profu- 
sion of flowers, and brilliantly lighted with lamps and 
candles. The zenana women were hidden behind 
screens, and with the exception of a broad, open space 
through the centre, the entire floor was crowded with 
Baboos, generally clad in elegant Cashmere shawls. 


ZENANAS AND BIBLE-WOMEN. 


295 


The nautch-giils, who, accompanied by their .mu- 
sicians with viols and tom-toms, performed two by 
two along through this open space, absorbed most of 
the attention of the evening, quite eclipsing even the 
interest centred in the little boy-bridegroom, who went 
to sleep long before the party dispersed. 

Of course these dancers were all professional and 
licensed courtesans. No respectable Hindu woman 
would dance in the presence of men. It is difficult 
for them to understand how Christian women can 
assume so many virtuous airs, and }^et dance in the 
presence of men, and with them, often in the most 
■familiar and voluptuous attitudes and embraces. 

These nautch-girls were very beautiful, intelligent, 
accomplished, and modestly dressed. While their 
evident object throughout the entire performance was 
to excite passion, they discarded such gross acces- 
sories as ‘‘Christian” nudity and gymnastics, and 
simply moved back and forth to the music, jingling 
the bells on their wrists and ankles, assuming various 
graceful attitudes to express different emotions, and 
with a continual play of the features. The half- 
closed eyes, the quivering forms, the faltering voice, 
all indicated the consummate art of these sirens. 

Into the ears of one of them Cleora had an oppor- 
tunity to whisper an invitation: 

“If you will come to my home, perhaps I can be 
your friend, and help you to a better life.” 

“I will, mem sahib. I never heard before a word 
of real kindness.” 

The next day she came, boldly walking unaccom- 


296 


SELF-GIVING. 


panied through the crowded streets of Agra, not even 
a veil over her face. Coldly she looked at the men, 
contemptuously at the women. It had been only a 
perfectly dark night thus far in her life, but a beauti- 
ful bright star had just dawned. 

Cleora greeted her as a sister. 

“ Please tell me your story, Huchi.” 

‘‘ I was of the Devangada, or weaver-caste, and my 
parents were persuaded when I was five years old, to 
let a horrid Brahman take me away to his temple and 
marry me to an idol. When a little older I was 
dressed in silks and jewels, and helped the other 
dancing girls to increase the revenues of the temple. 
It was a higher caste-life than I am now leading, but 
I could not endure that dreadful Brahman who owned 
us, and ran away.” 

“ Why did your parents send you to that temple ? ” 
“ I was a wddow. They had betrothed me when I 
was three years old, but the little boy died soon after, 
and of course I was the same as a widow, and quite 
likely to go to the bad anyhow, in trying vainly to 
escape the wretchedness.” 

Cleora found that Huchi could read and write in 
Hindi, and could speak English a great deal better 
than the vonnof missionaries the native langfuaore. 
Her parents and the Brahmans had thus specially ediu 
cated her for a life of shame. 

It was a true reformation at first opportunity. 
Huchi became a Christian and a useful assistant, and 
one day said to Cleora : 

I love you so, I wish I could die for you ! ” 


CHAPTER XXIX. 


GIELS’ SCHOOL AND HOME COREESPONDENCE. 

^1 ''HE first two years of tlie Agra mission liad 
J. been remarkably successful. Mr. and Mrs. 
Litchfield had hardly had a taste of Dr. Thomas’ 
seventeen years’ waiting for the first Bengalese con- 
vert, or Dr. Judson's six for the first Burmese, or of 
that long twenty years’ delay in Tahiti before the 
first dropping of the plentiful shower of which all the 
Christian world has heard. Fifty, in about an equal 
proportion of men and women, had joined the station- 
church ; scores of adults in other families also were 
regular, or at least frequent attendants at the relig- 
ious services, and there was an average of one hun- 
dred and twenty in the Sunday-school. Besides, at 
the several out-stations there were little companies of 
those who seemed truly interested. 

The third year opened, and yet no missionary rein- 
forcement for their station. But the work was accu- 
mulating upon them, and though it was perilous, 
there seemed no other way. It is much easier for Chris- 
tians at home to prescribe rules for missionary self- 
restraint, face to face with a world of responsibility 
in the evangelization of the heathen, than it is for the 

297 


298 


SELF-GIVING. 


laborers to carry out those rules when only one life is 
endangered for the sake of thousands. 

‘‘Cleora/’ observed Llewellyn one evening, as they 
were strolling together in the direction of the Taj, 
“ we cannot afford to change our plan of fostering the 
educational enterprise among our native converts and 
adherents, which Christian truth is so sure to awaken.” 
‘‘Yet without help from home it almost means a 
grave for us.” 

“ O, I hope not, darling ! You are very weary and 
worn, and must have a rest up in the mountains. But 
I am strong and equal to extra work, and the crisis in 
our mission is so important.” 

“ Can we not delay the new enterprise a few 
months till Margaret comes?” 

“I fear not, Cleora, without extinguishing much of 
the native enthusiasm. As God’s truth and grace 
have been clustering around us a large company, we 
have maintained a little school of bovs and girls as a 
kind of educational beacon-light — an incentive, a pab 
tern; and now, just what we have been working and 
praying for, appears. Our native Christian community 
is quite thoroughly aroused to assume responsibility 
fur an educational advance under our counsel and 
superin tendency. You know that though these 
Hindus and ourselves were originally of the same 
family of the human race, thej^ have lost much of our 
Anglo-Saxon patience in waiting for opportunity.” 

“ I could not help thinking to-day of this kinship- 
tie when in one of the zenanas. The second wife had - 
actually a striking resemblance to your old acquaint- 


GIRLS'^ SCHOOL AND HOME CORRESPONDENCE. 299 


ance, Laura Hamilton of Washington. The com- 
plexion wus a little darker, but all the outline of the 
features was there.” 

^‘Biit we must allow tliem to go ahead with the 
school. They say they want their girls to have as 
good an education as the boys receive in the govern- 
ment-schools, and that they will erect the building 
and pay the salaries of two teachers. I see that they 
miscalculate, and tlmt we shall be compelled to help 
them financially as well as by our counsel and super- 
intendence ; but thev will deserve it, and the mission- 
money will be most wisely invested.” 

I am really glad, Llewellyn, that there is not 
much of that clamoring which we had expected for 
instruction in English. Huchi is doubtless right in 
saying that English in the mouths of native girls is 
one of the most dangerous fiends in India. She well 
knows the access it gives to immoral foreigners.” 
‘‘Positively, no government ‘ grants-in-aid ’ shall 
tempt us to thus help the enormous prostitute busi- 
ness in this land.” 

Are we to liave a doll manufactory, or a school 
for efficient, self-reliant women?” 

“ The latter, I hope, surely, Cleora. And I have 
been inquiring to-day as to what will be practicable 
in an industrial department.” 

“Anything in that line will keep many away.” 

“It is best that it should. We cannot afford any 
compromise with caste while laying the foundations 
for Christianity among these teeming millions.” 

“ But, Llewellyn, Christ did not directly attack 


300 


SELF-GIVING. 


slavery, which he*found as a prevailing custom. The 
rather he quietly set influences at work which were 
sure ultimately to overthrow it.” 

Yet he never appeared to countenance it in the 
least. Really, Cleora, your zenana-work has a little 
prejudiced you in favor of caste-instruction, I fear.” 
They had reached the marble terrace of the vast 
mausoleum. Cleora was out of breath, and stumbled 
once in ascending the long flight of steps. Llewellyn 
cauglit her in his arms and prevented her from falling, 
but he saw more than the physical weakness of his 
worn and weary missionary wife. There were tears 
in her eyes which she had been trying to hide from 
him. 

He kissed them away, but then many more came. 
“Tell me, darling wife, what do these tears mean?” 
“I was thinking, perhaps I am hindering }^ou more 
than helping you in your work.” 

“ O, nonsense ! What put that into your dear lit- 
tle head?” 

“ I was reading an article last evening from the 
corresponding secretary of the American Propagation 
Society, and in the use of very severe and almost 
heartless language, he condemns the encumbering of 
young men missionaries with wives.” 

“ He is a dyspeptic old fogy ! You are very foolish 
to mind what he says upon this subject at all, Cleora.” 
“But he has a number of arguments which are in- 
telligible, even if he does occasionally murder the 
King’s English. 

“ Pshaw ! Every one of them has been worn 


GIRLS^ SCHOOL AND HOME CORRESPONDENCE. 301 


threadbare by the priests and monks of the Roman 
Catholic Cliurch. You an encumbrance upon me in 
the beginning of my missionary work ! Did Ann H. 
Judson obstruct the introductory work of her hus- 
band in Burmah ? ” 

“But I am not Mrs. Ann H. Judson.” 

“ Yes, you are ; her equal, her superior. You have 
done more than I have in this station thus far. I 
mean it soberly, in earnest. Our little daughter, 
completing our Christian home, has proved a great 
blessing among the natives. But for you I would 
have been a constant object for immoral suspicions, 
and neither native men nor native women would have 
trusted me with anything like the present measure 
of cordiality. Who was it cheered me last fall when 
I was so awfully blue, and really thought seriously of 
accepting a government appointment in the Allahabad 
University? 

“ Hey, Cleora ! perhaps you know that woman. 
If you do, you ought to be proud of her. I am ^ and 
I think I will just now squeeze out the rest of those 
tears, so they will not be troubling us any more. 

“ And have you not been to ever so many zenanas, 
where I have no possible access ? And one of us has 
been the very life of our school — not me. You must 
stop shaking your head. It goes the wrong way. 

“ There ! if I hold it tightly against my shoulder 
— thus — it will not be so contrary. 

“ And as I was about to observe, more than half of 
the converts in our station trace their religious impres- 
sions to your teaching and example.' 


SELF GIVING. 


30'J 

When they returned to the mission-compound, they 
found a package of American letters. The' postman 
was there to collect upon six of them, which were 
over-weight, the stamps upon them therefore not 
counting. 

‘'It must cost us some twenty-five dollars a year,” 
remarked Llewellyn, “ to pay the expense of home 
neglects in properly stamping letters and papers.” 

“Let us open them,” replied Cleora, “and see if 
we get our money’s worth.” 

“ That is for you ; and as it is evidently a woman’s 
handwriting, I will be so indulgent a husband as to 
allow you to open it.” 

“ A girl sixteen years old wants me to encourage 
her coming out here as a missionary.” 

“ Bosh! She may be ever so intelligent and pious, 
but she cannot know her own mind sufficiently for 
this work.” 

“Yes, Llewell}m ; I should say to all young women 
under twenty-five — I had almost said thirty — do not 
come. For the sake of the cause, do not come ! ” 

“ Well ! well! It appears from this letter that 'we 
are all wrong in regard to the support of this mission. 
A rich Boston layman says if we will only cut loose 
from the regular societ}% and cast ourselves wholly 
on the Lord, he will promise to send us montlily the 
same amount we - are now receiving for salary and 
incidental expenses.” 

Cleora did not say a word, but ran for the tongs, 
picked the letter as if it were a snake out of her hus- 
band's hands, and dropped it into the kitchen fire. 


GIRLS^ SCHOOL AND HOME CORRESPONDENCE. 303 

Returning to the table, she tore open the next 
envelope, and soon exclaimed : 

“ Of course here is anotlier of the continually com- 
ing hasty-pndding letters, as I call them. A woman 
who is probably too economical to supply herself with 
a sufficient number of the mission-periodicals, as 
also too indolent to go to work effectively to cultivate 
the missionary spirit in her community, writes me a 
little single-page letter, asking that I write some- 
thing that will stir up the interest in the cause among 
them.” 

Well, Cleora, here is another hobby which a 
good brother in Pennsylvania is riding. He wants to 
know if I do not thiidc the great difficulty in the way 
of evangelizing the teeming millions of heathenism is 
the amount of salary given to the secretaries and 
treasurers of our mission-societies.” 

“Does he think that they are too small?” 

“ O ! you know better. He writes as if the execu- 
tive officers at the Rooms absorbed ninety-nine per 
cent, of the annual incomes.” 

“ Remember the story, Llewellyn, of the five hun- 
dred black cats.” 

“ He says he would be willing to take the secreta- 
lyship for one thousand dollars. But I happen to 
know that his wife has three thousand dollars interest- 
money every year. So, after all, he does not reckon 
so closely as those whom he criticizes.” 

“ But why in the world does he write to you about 
it?” 

“ The Lord knows, I do not, even as about much 


304 


SELF-GIVING, 


else of this home correspondence. Wliat is that you 
have ? ” 

“ Ten tliree-cent United States postage-stamps with 
wliich to buy some Indian curiosities, and send to St. 
Paul, Min nesota.’' 

‘‘ Whew ! We must take so large a remittance at 
once to the fort, and have it placed in Colonel Osgood's 
safe. W under if it will be quoted to-morrow in the Cal- 
cutta exchange ! 

“ O, you are too hard on tins good sister. She did 
not think of these stamps being worthless here, and 
does not know that thirty cents will go but little ways 
toward buying things in India.” 

“Yes, does not think, does not know. But the 
time has come when thoughtlessness and ignorance 
among Christians upon the most common information 
contained in missionarv literature, is inexcusable.” 

“ Ah, Mr. Litchfield, liere is a lady’s handwriting, 
and addressed to vou. I must examine it first before 

i/ 

allowing you possibly to see it.” 

“Ha, ha! A woman in Portland, Maine, sends 
her deceased grandfather's library to }’OU. He was a 
minister. She saj^s you will probably be willing to 
pay the freight at this end.” 

“ Probably ? Doubtless I What rapture it will 
give me to pay half a month's salary for his old col- 
lection of encyclopcedias, sermons, and patent-office- 
reports ! " 

“Do not worry. I will inquire the price of old 
paper Perhaps we can raise half the freight that 
way.’ 


GIRLS^ SCHOOL AND HOME CORRESPONDENCE. 305 


Well, this is pious shrewdness, truly.” 
“Soniethiiig official, Llewellyn? I see a printed 
heading.” 

Yes ; it is from the secretary of the Great Western 
Bible and Tract Society. People have very little 
interest in it. A small concern ; barely able to pay 
his salary. But he wants me to make application to 
him for ten thousand Hindi Testaments, accom* 
panied with a vivid statement of the great need ; and 
then he can quote me as alienated from the old 
mother-society, and as indorsing his half-pint enter- 
prise.” 

‘‘ Here is a little box ; what can it be ? ” 

hope it is something, for I had to pay half a 
rupee extra postage on that. Ugh ! a bottle. That is 
why the small package was so heavy.” 

Brown’s Colic Assuager.” 

Let me have it. I see a lizard on the fence, and 
will try and hit it. Doubtless one of those other let- 
ters asks for a testimonial.” 

‘‘ There ! you did not even hit the fence. Sit down 
again and listen to this : ” 

Toledo, Ohio. 

Dear Sister : — I want to support a girl in your school, 

and name her after me, and have her write to me often: and I will 

• * 

send her nice things every little while, and — 

‘‘ Do not read me any more of that, Cleora. We are 
not going to spoil any of our girls for her sake. Such 
pronounced foreign favoritism would do a world of 
harm, not only to the unfortunate girl herself, but to 
the whole school.” 


306 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ I agree with you, but perhaps I can persuade her 
to trust her gift to the Societ}^ and to us under God.” 
“All right. But the letter appears to me as if she 
was trying to place an extra feather on her bonnet.” 

“ Only two more ; that for you, and this for me. 
What is yours, Llewellyn? ” 

“A long letter. Our churches in Iowa want to 
support us, and have our station all to themselves.” 

“ And ask us to give up the inspiration of feeling 
that our many dear friends in Massachusetts and New 
York are cooperating with us! " 

“Yes, Cleora, and in a measure rob the churches in 
all the other States of the encouragement of our work ; 
and leave some field, where little or no apparent suc- 
cess attends, as a Hobson's choice. With all the 
kindly feeling manifested, it is yet very trying to 
receive such selfish proposals.” 

“ O, there is a box coming, Llewellyn ! ” 

“No more old useless libraries, C. O. D., I hope. 
But sure enough, old clothes; just as bad ! And old 
boots and shoes too. It says we can give them to the 
natives ; of course it is meant that we wear them.” 

“ Grateful tears, Cleora, should course down our 
cheeks. Read on, and see if they have also sent any 
of those indispensable last }^ear almanacs.” 

“No ; but a good woman encloses her old winter’s 
bonnet which had only been done over twice. She 
says I can send to Paris for some new strings. 
Whew ! rice also.” 

“ How perfectly happy we would be if they had 
added also some of our ubiquitous Indian curry I ” 


CHAPTER XXX. 


FRUITS BITTER AND SWEET. 

NTIRELY unexpected to the inmates of one of 

-1 the leading native Christian homes in Agra, 

Cleora Litchfield one afternoon called for a few 
moments’ rest, before visiting another heathen zenana. 
Never since the motlier, sister, and daughter had 
made a public profession of Cliristian faith, six months 
previously, had the missionaries observed in them or 
in the husband, a still earlier convert, any lingering 
traces of the old idolatry and superstition. 

But as she entered, a Brahman hurriedly passed 
out, leaving the group before the new visitor evidently 
in great confusion and shame. 

What does this mean, Kenaidali? Have you been 
praying to this Brahman ? ” 

‘‘ Only because Zalenu stepped on a worm and killed 
it, and perhaps it may have been her grandfather or 
uncle.” 

‘‘ I am too sick at heart to stop and talk with you 
now,” replied Cleora. ‘‘ You have been taught many 
times the wickedness of worshipping any other than 
God, and the folly of believing that human spirits 
pass into the bodies of insects and animals. I am not 

307 


308 


SELF-GIVING, 


angry with yon, but I feel so sadly, I cannot do 
anything more to-day.” 

The same evening Llewellyn had an experience 
wliich brought him at once into fresh sympathy with 
his wife. 

There were three Hindu men of unusually intelli- 
gent and capable appearance, who had been regularly 
at all the public services in the chapel for three 
moiiths. Many times the missionary had prepared 
and spoken specially for their benefit. 

Most gladly Mr. Litchfield welcomed them this 
evening achis home to a personal interview. It must 
be they are genuine inquirers. Perhaps they are quite 
ready to profess Christianity. 

“ W e have called, Sahib,” said the leader, “ to offer to 
join your followers for two rupees each a month. The 
llomaii Catholics paid us one rupee every month for 
three }"ears, but we thought it worth more, and will 
leave them entirely, and put ourselves at your service.” 

One morning two of the young men of the theo- 
logical class were missing. They had not reported 
themselves ill, or as called away temporarily by any 
family affairs. And yet day after day nothing was 
heard from them. It was very extraordinary and 
inexplicable. 

These young men had been among the six under 
Mr. Litchfiekrs instruction, almost from the beginning 
of Ins effort to train up a native ministry. He had 
had no cause to doubt their piety, and they seemed to 
be thoroughly persuaded of their duty to prepare 
to preach the Gospel to their fellow countrymen. 


FRUITS BITTER AND SWEEF 


309 


But it proved that government positions had been 
offered them, and that they were unable to resist the 
temptation. Their salaries were to be three times 
what they could ever expect in the ministry. And 
that which added probably to their shame, as it cer- 
tainly did to the grief of the missionaries, was that 
tlieir clerkships were in the opium department of the 
internal revenue service. 

The following incident led Mr. Litchfield ever after, 

to make it a point to question as many as possible of 

his hearers as to what they had understood him to 

mean bv his sermon or exhortation. 

%/ 

He had been discoursing upon Christ’s coming from 
heaven, sending his disciples throughout the world to 
preach his> Gospel, and giving them the Scriptures as 
an all-sufficient record of revealed truth. 

On reaching the vestibule of the chapel at the close 
of the service two Hindus from his congregation fell 
upon their knees before the missionary and worshipped 
him. Upon his rebuking them, they declared: 

‘‘You have taught us that you are a Christian 
Brahman, that your Christ is the last incarnation of 
Vishnu, and your Scriptures the new Puranas.” 

Another constant trial was the lapsing of the con- 
verts into Sabbath desecration. The Roman Catholics 
allowed the continuance of daily employment as among 
the heathen, except during the hour of the celebration 
of the mass. The missionaries of one of the other 
Protestant societies, though not so indulgent, were 
unwilling to make Sabbath breaking itself a ground 
for church-discipline. 


310 


SELF GIVING. 


But Llewellyn and Cleora felt unshaken in the con- 
viction that they could not afford to compromise the 
sanctity of the Lord’s day. They could by no means 
see the way out of all the embarrassments involved in 
poor converts from heathenism breaking off at once 
for one seventh of their time from all secular employ* 
ment, but they believed God did. They were confi 
dent that the all-overruliiiG: Providence would make 
the willing obedience of every true disciple in this 
respect also practicable ; and they were right. 

Considerable difficulty was experienced among the 
native Christian community in the matter of break- 
ing up the dreadful social customs of childhood- 
betrothal and marriage. Long: after the adherents 
of the mission had lost all respect for the. authority 
of the Hindu Sliasters and the code of Menu, tlie 
custom of their ancestors and of the teeming: millions 
around Jthem exerted in many respects a powerful 
influence over their feeling and conduct. They were 
slow to realize that true love is at all necessary to 
marriage, or that the inclinations of the parties them- 
selves ought in the least be taken into account in the 
parental adjustment of the new relation. They were 
not entirely ignorant of genuine matrimonial affection, 
but usually their highest conception of domestic hap- 
piness was- in the satisfaction of a merely selfish fanc}% 
wliich, however, was purely incidental to the business- 
arrangements of the heads of their respective families. 

Ill the home of one of tlieir deacons, Mrs. Litchfield 
was astonished, during an afternoon’s call, to see a 
red paint mark, an inch long, in the parting of the 


FRUITS BITTER AND SWEET, 


311 


hair of the little four-}^ear-old daughter of their Sun’ 
day-school super! n tender t. 

O, my sister Limenah, can it be possible,” ex- 
claimed the missionary, “that you have married your 
eight-year-old son to this little girl who is scarcely 
more than a baby ? ’’ 

“ We know it is wrong. But the pressure of our 
relatives and others was so great ! We hoped you 
would not learn of it so soon.” 

“ When were they betrothed ? ” 

“ A year ago. But, indeed, they shall only be like 
children together, until she is eight years old and my 
son is twelve.” 

“ Ah, Limenah, you cannot make this right at all. 
For one, yes, two lives, you have destroyed God’s 
beautiful gift of childhood. It is dreadful to think 
that, notwithstanding all the new light we have 
brought you from our Saviour, you have made it pos- 
sible for this girl to be a widow with dependent chil- 
dren before she has reached her teens.” 

Deacon and superintendent and their wives were 
called together. They seemed truly penitent, and 
promised to support each child separately at home 
until they had grown to manhood and womanhood. 
But heathenism had scored a great victory over the 
Agra Christian community ; a weakness of principle 
had been illustrated, and a heavy burden added to 
the hearts of the missionaries, which they must con- 
tinue to carry. 

The most bitter fruit they were called upon to 
taste was the complete apostasy of one of the two 


312 


SELF-GIVING. 


young luen before mentioned as having left Mr. 
Litchfield’s theological class for a position in the gov- 
ernment civil service. A spirit of forbearance liad 
apparently won him back to the discharge of the or- 
dinary duties of a native Christian. 

A party of American travellers from Baltimore and 
Cincinnati were spending three days in Agra. After 
they had seen the Taj, both in the daytime and at 
night, they happened upon an introduction to Mr. 
Litchfield, who was calling at the hotel on a matter 
of business with the proprietor. 

He invited them cordially to visit the mission 
premises ; but fearing that it would not prove very 
interesting to them, he added a promise to conduct 
them to one of the Hindu temples. 

A great festival was in progress, and they found 
the temple crowded with devotees. No descriptions 
of the numerous objects of worship scattered around 
on several platforms and in many niches, were neces- 
saiy. Modesty forbade leader or company to more 
than move about through the shocking exhibition of 
obscenity and human depravity, with silent com- 
pressed lips. 

At one of the loathsome shrines stood a noble-ap- 
pearing young man, ofiSciating as priest and busy 
receiving the offerings which multitudes were making 
to Siva. 

Llewellyn needed but a single glance to recognize 
one for whose conversion he had labored, one whom 
he had baptized and instructed daily for more than a 
year, that he might be qualified to preach the Gospel. 


FRUITS BITTER AND SWEET, 


313 


Either he had lost his government situation, or the 
temple priests had tempted him with a larger salary. 
The heart-sick missionary could not linger, and at 
once begged his companions to allow him to conduct 
them to their hotel. 

But it is, indeed, always darkest just before day. 
And of the sunshine that was awaiting him upon 
return home, he had some anticipatory, twilight 
glimpses by the way. 

He passed the little bazaar-stalls of the three con- 
sistent converts, Manohar Lai, Hari Ram, and Tha- 
kur Dass. They all seemed to have their hands 
unusually full with customers, and Llewellyn congrat- 
ulated the latter on this fact. 

‘‘O, 3'es,” Thakur Dass replied most cheerfully; 
“ my customers know that I close shop to-morrow, 
the Lord’s day, and they crowd me unusually Satur- 
days.” 

“ Has your observance of the Sabbath hurt your 
business at all ? ” 

‘‘ Not in the long run. At first it did ; but it has 
since proved the. best advertisement I could possibly 
have.” 

In front of the mission-grounds Llewellyn met 
Khairat Masih and his wife and two daughters, all 
walking along together, a lovely Christian family. 
The girls were seven and nine years old respectively, 
and not disfigured with any hideous signs of betrothal 
or marriage. 

In a moment across the road came running glee- 
fully the little ten-year-old son of the senior deacon, 


314 


SELF-GIVING. 


Rahim Bnksh, ami the two years younger daughter of 
the native preaclier, Imam Chuttree. And it was de- 
lightful to Vv’atch these four cliildren, fully enjoying 
childhood in the freedom of Christian truth and 
iuflnence. Directly over the little silken heads of that 
frolicking group, the grateful missionary could see, as 
it were, a rift in the dark, dense cloud of Hindu 
heathenism. 

“ Two native brethren in your study wish to meet 
you — Sudin Karan and Prem Chand,” announced 
Cleora as Llewellyn reached the veranda. 

Both were operators in the telegraph office, and 
were receiving the large native wages of thirty rupees 
a month. 

‘‘ We believe it our duty,’' said the former, to 
prepare to preach the Gospel to our Hindu fellow- 
countrymen. We have much leisure for study.” 

‘‘But,” replied Mr. Litchfield, “neither the Mis- 
sion nor the native Christians can afford you half 
3’our present salaries when you are ready to resign 
your government positions and give yourselves wholly 
to the ministry.” 

“ We have thought of all that,” responded Prem 
Chand. “We shall be veiy glad to make the sacrifice 
for Christ, who gave up all for us.” 

“ Yes, indeed,” continued Sudin Karan ; “ or rather 
there will be no sacrifice at all, to economize a little 
more in food and clothing, in order to have opportu- 
nit}^ to work all the while for the establishment of 
Christ’s kingdom in India.” 

It was nearlj" time for the dail}^ preaching-service,* 


FRUITS BITTER AND SWEET, 


315 


established by the native pastor for the hour after tlie 
close of business in the bazaar. The happy mission- 
ary and the two applicants for noblest work on earth 
repaired to the chapel. 

And such a sermon ! Llewellyn knew he could 
not have preached a better one himself. It was 
thoroughly Scriptural, full of thought, and deeply 
earnest. 

The missionary recognized an unusual tremulous- 
ness at times in the voice of his assistant, and waiting 
till the congregation had dispersed, he inquired : 

‘‘ Saroop Singh, is your heart very heav}" to-day ? ” 
“ Come to my house and dine with me, and I will 

tell vou.'’ 

%/ 

‘‘]\lay I send for Mrs. Litchfield also?” 

“Certainly, and my wife will be very happy. It 
will be simple food, you know.*’ 

The four sat around the humble table until very 
late, listening to many incidents of Saroojj Singh’s 
Christian experience, entirel}^ new to the missionaries. 

“As I was born a Brahma]i,” he continued, “every 
effort has been made by my parents and the Llindu 
priesthood, to thwart my Christian purposes. Espe- 
cially during the last six months, since I have taken 
a prominent position in the mission- work. 

“ Mother has performed long pilgrimages to famous 
shrines to accomplish ni}* restoration to Hinduism. 
Repeatedly the Brahmans have imparted to her for 
extravagant fees, the secret of my salvation from 
Christianity, and full reinstatement in caste-priv- 
ileges. 


SELF-GIVING. 


;U6 


Generally when she visits us (she has not been 
here this week), there will be some peculiar taste to 
the tea or coffee , or it will be the food, which is often 
made very offensive and unwholesome by the effica- 
cious materials prescribed by the villainous and filthy 
Brahmans.” 

“•Please give me an idea of the probable remedies 
proposed and with which your mother has been exper- 
imenting. Your long, previous experience among the 
Brahmans must have made you quite familiar with 
their Satanic arts.” 

“ I cannot tell you all at this time, but the most 
frequent prescription is to mix with the drink or 
food the excrements of a cow.” 

“What special effort has your father been making 
to reclaim you?” inquired Llew^ellyn, anxious to 
continue the subject, yet so to change it as to save 
his wife’s appetite.' 

“ The dear old man ! He is over eighty. Many 
times he has walked two miles from his home to ours 
to reason with me, 5^nd to beg me to leave the ‘ for- 
eign deviltry,’ as he calls our religion. 

“Yesterday he was here for the last time, and he 
got down on this floor and entreated me with tears 
in his eyes. And by that door he threw his arms 
around my neck, and put his head on my shoulder 
and pleaded with me, for the sake of my ancestors, 
for the happiness of my parents, and as I would 
escape millions of years to come of life in snakes, and 
rats, and all most loathsome creatures, to come back, 
pledging he would give all his property, and his own 


FRUITS BITTER AND SWEET. 


317 


life if necessary, to the Brahman priesthood in order 
to reinstate me in the exalted rank of my caste.” 

“ Why do you say this was Iiis last meeting with 
you, Saroop Singh ? ” inquired Cleora. 

‘‘All! that was why my heart was so soft at 
service-time this afternoon. They were having my 
funeral, just as if I was dead. My parents, and all 
my relatives, and many Brahmans no doubt, went 
through the whole ceremony, and my funeral pile 
was kindled the same as if this body had been there 
to be burned. They will never speak to me again, or 
give me a look of recognition when passing me in 
the street, or mention my name in the family-circle. 
‘But I am persuaded that nothing shall be able to sep- 
arate me from the love of God, which is in Christ 
Jesus, my Lord.’ ” 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


TWO MONTHS IN EUROPE. 

A lthough Margaret Kilbume was now very 
impatient to reach India, it was as wise 
for her to delay a few weeks before entering the 
climate of Southern Asia, as for the steamship in 
which she crossed the Atlantic to wait off Sandy 
Hook for twenty-four hours until the terrible storm 
had abated. 

Ill Queenstown liarbor, while the mails were 
being landed, some calling passengers from a neigh- 
boring steamship, to sail that evening for America, 
made mention of a returning invalid missionary woman 
among their number. IMargaret immediately hailed 
a row boat and hastened to greet the fallen soldier. 
She was Mrs. Appleton of Rangoon, Burmah. 

“Ah, Miss Kilburne,” said she, “you are very 
wise not to think of commencing your work in India 
until late in the fall.” * 

“But I do think of it a great deal, and am quite 
unreconciled to spending so much time on the way, 
even among so many scenes of artistic and historic 
interest.” 

“ Then Providence is very kindly detaining you. 

318 


TIVO MONTHS IN EUROPE. . 


319 


For years I have been a great sufferer, able to 
do but little work, and am now going home all 
broken down in health, because mv husband and 
self were so headstrong and imprudent as to com- 
mence in our field of labor at an unseasonable time 
of the year/’ 

At the hotel in Liverpool, Margaret met Mrs. 
Kellogg, of one of the American missions to Siam, 
and was very much pleased with her as an intelligent 
and companionable Christian missionary. She had 
left her Imsband in Bangkok, and was simply wait- 
ing three days in port a transfer of steamers. 

‘‘Have you ever been to London, and upon the 
continent, Mrs. Kellogg ” 

“No ; though I would like to very much. Indeed 
I had planned it all, and had saved funds to meet 
with great economy the necessary expense.” 

“ 0, then, do let us join company. It will be so 
delightful to go together.” 

“I would most gladly. Miss Kilburne, but I am 
getting well too fast. I had to be carried to my 
steamer at Bangkok upon my bed, which I had not 
been able to leave for seven months. But the voyage 
has done Avonders for me. Appetite and vigor are 
being rapidly restored. I had hoped so to improve 
in the course of two or three months in England, as to 
visit at least Paris and Switzerland.” 

“ Why, then, it is just right for you to go noAV 
Avith me!” 

“No, no! It would spoil my welcome home. The 
officers at the Rooms, and e\^eryAvhere the members of 


320 


SELF-GIVING, 


the cliurclies would express surprise at seeing me 
liome so soon on the sick-list. They might not say it 
in so many words, but all their looks and actions 
would mean* — ‘You had no business to leave your 
husband and work and come home, you strong, healthy 
woman. You were homesick, that was all.” 

In a second class car, b}^ the Midland route, as the 
most picturesque, through the celebrated towns of 
Leicester, Derby and Bedford, Margaret rode to Lon- 
don. Much as she had read about English rural 
scenery, she felt indeed the half had not been told her. 
Of an intelligent Manchester merchant, who with his 
wife sat next to her, she inquired : 

“ Why are so many emigrating to America from 
this charmingly beautiful countiy ? ” 

“It does not belong to them. They belong to the* 
land, and it is quite natural for men to try to escape 
from bondage.” 

No sooner was Margaret comfortably located in a 
small, economical family hotel in London, situated 
near the Museum, a boarding-place to which she had 
been recommended by mission friends in New York, 
than she was beset by an agent of Baker’s Con- 
tinental Excursions, to join a six weeks' company of 
tourists through France, Switzerland, Bavaria and 
Italy. 

But the young American had had her eyes and 
ears open, and had very wisely concluded that 
crutches are of no use to those who can walk without 
them . that forethought, prudence and tact are as 
reliable as any tourist-agency , and that half the 


TWO MONTHS IN EUROPE, 


321 


pleasure of travelling is tliro wn away by yielding to 
the opportunity of self-reliance. 

With Iier speaking-knowledge of Frencli and Ger- 
man, and her large bundle of introductory letters to 
residents in Paris, Geneva, Lucerne, Munich, Venice, 
Rome and Naples, she decided upon lier own ‘‘per- 
sonally conducted tour.'’ And she never had occa^ 
sion to regret this independent arrangement. 

When in Geneva for two da vs, she crossed the 
track of the very party she would otherwise have 
joined. Tliose to whom she Avas here introduced had 
gone up the lake to Lausanne, and Margaret was 
thrown upon her own resources entirely. Going to 
one of the best hotels, she registered, and was assigned 
a very dismal and uiicomfortable room. 

Calling the proprietor, she protested against such 
wretched accommodations for the price she Avas expect- 
ing to pay. 

“ Upon your coupons, mademoiselle, AAm cannot 
afford to do better. We liave to return so lar^e a 
percentage to your tourist agency.” 

“I have no coupons, sir, and do not belong to 
any one but myself. I Avish to pay in cash five francs 
a day for my room, including service.'’ 

“Ah, beg your pardon a thousand times, mad' 
emoiselle. The porter Avill at once show you more 
desirable accommodations. And it Avould be much 
more agreeable for you everyAvhere, to notify that you 
do not settle your bills with paper, which hotel pro- 
prietors must discount for from ten to thirty per cent.” 
In London Margaret AYorked diligently, so as to 


322 


SELF-GIVING, 


escape the fog as soon as possible. It was much 
worse than the coal smoke of Pittsburg and Cincin- 
nati. Three of her five days in this vast metropolis 
of the world were so dark that the restaurants where 
she lunched at noon required the use of gaslight. 

She visited the richly stored Museum, tlie vener- 
able Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, 
St. Paul's Cathedral, the Bank 'of England, the 
National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, the Zoological 
Gardens in Regent’s Park, tlieTower, and, in companj^ 
with her new mission friends, she was enabled also to 
make a hurried excursion to Wbidsor Castle. 

From the great park upon the south side of the 
castle, Margaret was delighted to see Queen Victoria 
seated at one of the windows. Her friends, who had 
often met their Sovereign driving in Hyde Park, were 
sure there was no mistake. 

Neither in London nor Paris did Miss Kilburne 
allow the achievements of human art to monopolize 
all her attention. In each city she spent one Sunday, 
going in the former to Spurgeon’s, Parker's, and an 
orphan asylum service, and in the latter to the Rue 
de Berri chapel, a meeting of Christians since wor- 
shipping in their own beautiful sanctuary upon the 
Rue de Lille, and to a prayer and conference meeting 
of missionaries in the Belleville district. 

In the gay French capital a few hours each were 
spent in the galleries of the Louvre and the Luxem- 
bourg, upon the Champs Elysees and in the Bois de 
Boulogne, in the Catacombs and along the brilliant 
business boulevards. One day Margaret was able to 


TWO MONTHS IN EUROPE. 


0^0 


give to Versailles, and part of another to St. Denis. 

Every evening slie was excessively weary ; too weary 
to go to operas or theatres or other places of worldly 
amusement, even if she had had any taste for such 
dissipation, and had entertained the. judgment that it 
was proper for a professed Christian. 

Yet the thought I may never reach India to do 
mission work there, sent her forth several times in the 
evening, both in London and Paris, in company with 
some elderly lady, to strive, as she had often striven 
upon the streets of Chicago, to persuade young 
women to abandon a life of shame. One jewel thus 
she thought she gathered for her heavenly crown 
upon Oxford street, and another upon the Boulevard 
des Italien. At least slie tried, as many more of her 
sex should try during the early hours of night, and 
God and angels blessed her. 

It did not require much effort and time for Margaret 

to learn, what few American travellers learn upon 

their merely secular tours through Great Britain and 

Europe, that there are multitudes of beautiful and 

efficient charities in operation, far more of them in 

Eimland* than in the United States, and that the 
^ " 

evangelizing enterprise which reaches forth from the 
British Isles and from Germany and Holland into all 
parts of the globe, is far more extensive yet than that 
which characterizes the Christian life in the great 
Republic of the New World. 

The Tuilleries were still in their glory, and the 
Emperor Louis Napoleon with his Empress Eugenie, 
yet shone as the central lights in the political and 


324 


SELF-GIVING. 


social firmament. Once Maro^aret saw them accom- 
j^anied by the Prince Imperial, driving in a gorgeous 
^arria^e across tlie Place de la Concorde. They did 
not look happy to her, and all their power and wealth 
and glory would not have tempted her to give up her 
commission as a simple missionary to the Hindu 
heathen of Northern India. 

Margaret saw that over everything in France 
rested the shadow of coming events. Every paper 
she read and every conversation she had, indicated 
that great restlessness and uncertainty which filed 
the interval between Sadowa and Sedan. 

‘‘Ah! glad am I,” she wrote, one evening, to lier 
anxiously waiting friend Cleora, “ tlirice glad that I 
work for a kingdom wliich hath foundations ; that 
I am hastening to the front of a battle about whose 
issue there can be no uncertainty, and that we know 
the glories which surround the brow of our Emman- 
uel are real, tarnislied by no wrong, and only bright- 
ened by advancing time.” 

The pension where Margaret boarded, in Lucerne, 
was upon the high ground near the Three Lindens. 
The view, both for beauty and for grandeur, sur- 
passed any of the kind she had even seen or conceived, 
and she felt that she received an inspiration that 
would last for many years, amid the dreary monotony 
of her life in India. Under those venerable trees she 
sat for hours, tracing the borders of the winding lake, 
feasting on the charms of hill and vale, contrasting 
the various growths from the feet to the summits of 
the nearer mountains, as luxurious Rigi i-^pon the 


TWO MONTHS IN EUROPE, 


325 


left and rugged Pilatus upon the right, and beyond 
the glories of Fensterarrhorn and of other giants of 
the Alps crowi^xl with perpetual snow. 

Three days in Miiuich quite reconciled her to the 
sacrifice of Dresden. She liad heard more of the art- 
galleries in the vSaxony capital, than of the old and 
the new Pinacothek and the Glyptothek and the 
National IMuseum of the beautiful Bavarian metrop- 
olis. In after rears, amid the terrible ruins and 
despair of heathenism, the cruelties of the Brahmans, 
and the degradation and sliame of Indian womanhood, 
it Avas frequently an inspiration to recall that j)art of 
the angel rescuing the Christians upon that great and 
terrible canvas of Kaulbach's Destruction of Jerusa- 
lem, Avhich is the chief glory of the new Pinacothek 
in IMunich. 

Not until the following year was to occur the cele- 
brated Passion Play at Ober-Ainmergau, but prepara- 
tions were in progress, and daily the chief singers and 
actors were practising for the discharge of their 
religious vow. Margaret spent a night at this quaint 
little village of the neighboring Tju^ol Alps, and 
found a great deal that Avas interesting in the habits 

o o 

and customs of the people, though she said nothing 
about it in her letters home, lest some pious people 
should feel that the missionary had become too 
Avorldly, and seize the occasion to decline cooperation 
in the great woi*k of AVorld-eAningelization. 

It AA'as better than all the photographs, though 
there are so many, and than all the descriptions in 
both prose and poetry, to stay only those tAVO days 


326 


SELF GIVING. 


which Margaret could give to Venice. As noiselessly 
in her gondola she glided up and down the grand 
canal between the Rialto and San Marco, or gazed 
forth from the summit of the Campanile, or strolled 
through tlie Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s, or studied 
Venetian life upon the great Piazza, the humble 
missionary could not help the honest thouglit, that 
the universal law of compensation comes to the cheer 
even of the missionary whose sacrifices are so many 
and so great for Christ. Few, she refiected, in the 
common ranks of the home ministry and laity ever 
enjoy the foreign missionaries’ opportunity of exten- 
sive travel. 

“ I liave been to England,” she wrote to her father, 
“ and to France, and Switzerland, and Germany, and 
now I am in beautiful Italy, simply because I am a 
missionary. And when in far-off India sometimes I 
think of my sacrifices and self-denials, I hope I may 
have wisdom and grace enough to give due credit to 
these and other compensations which a kindly Provi- 
dence has arranged.” 

Rome crowded her almost beyond her strength. 
She could not see everything of interest; only the 
principal objects. Most of her time was spent among 
the art-treasures of the Vatican. After St. Peter’s 
and tlie Lateran she did not really care much to see 
more than two or three other churches. To several 
of the palaces and villas she drove, staying long enough 
only to go directly to the rooms containing the chief 
art-treasures, glancing earnestly, studio usl}', and then 
hastening on to other famous ^esthetic shrines. And 

O 


TWO MONTUS IN ECROTE. 


327 


it is probable that she realized more benefit from 
many of these brief visits, than if she had had leisure to 
devote a whole day to each gallery of painting or of 
statuary, identifying with guide-book every object, 
and becoming cpiite thoroughly bewildered amid a 
chaos of innumerable impressions. 

Mai-garet often said that “ Five da3^s in Rome 
could be made more profitable by discrimination and 
persistent singleness of purpose, than the three to 
eight weeks as usually spent by omnivoi’ous tourists.” 

Both in entering and in leaving the Eternal City ” 

M iss Kilburne had difficulties which were soon to 
pass away. It was a few months before Victor Em- 
manuel overthrew the temporal power of the Pope. 
Pius the Ninth, whom Maro'aret once saw taking his 

snuff in a corridor of the Vatican, had latelv uttered 

' %/ 

the blasphemy of his infallibility, and the indignation 
of God was almost ready to descend upon his gnilty - 
head. Only for a few months more could the Pontiff, 
within even the limited circle of the States of the 
Church, play however harmlessly at his old and for- 
meii}^ terrible game of the Inquisition. At the custom 
house Margaret's baggage was searched for any 
Protestant literature, and her Bible was confiscated. 
From a chapel of St. Peter’s she was roughly thrust 
forth because she would not kneel at the elevation of 
the host. And her farewell from the principality of 
the Vice-gerent of Christ was an insult from a sensual 
and intoxicated priest, which compelled her to change 
at the next station to another compartment of the 
car. 


328 


SELF-GIVING, 


From Naples Margaret was to sail for Alexandria. 
There was but a day for a drive throiio;li the larsre 
and beautifully situated city, a run out to Pompeii, 
and a climb of Mount Vesuvius at sunset. As she 
liiipered on the edge of the burning crater, she 
thought her own situation in life well symbolized, 
but yet never even in America had yonder sunlight 
bathed the prospect more beautifully and gloriously. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 


THE MEETING IN CALCUTTA. 


M^MEDIATELY upon telegrapliic notice that 
-L the British India steamship Elderado had 
passed .Madras en route from Liverpool to Calcutta, 
Cleora Litchlield took the train for the capital, that 
she might be the first to greet Margaret Kilburiie 
vdien she landed. The hearts of both these school- 
girl friends were full of joyful expectations of the long 
looked-for meeting, and they felt quite as young 
againyis in those gleeful, buoyant years, when, hand 
in hand, they strolled along the Newport cliffs, or 
roomed together at Yonker's College. 


W1 len the cannon of Fort William announced the 
arrival below in the Hooglily, Cleora heard the signal 
at the American IMission Home where she was enter- 
taincMb and quickly she arrayed herself in her best to 
drive to the dock. She tried to make a presentable 
c])pearance for Margaret's sake, but the old bonnet 
iiiid dress were out of fashion, her gloves had all been 
spoiled by the damp weather, and as to laces and 
cnliars, time and the dhobies had quite exhausted her 
outfit su])ply. 

In the distance, Margaret saw a woman in front of 

329 


330 


SELF-GIVING. 


the “go-clown,” alongside wliicli the Elderado was 
endeavorinof to make a landiiiof; but she did not 
recognize in her the missionary sister for whose warm 
embrace she was impatiently longing. Cleora she 
had never seen but in the height of fashion ; and then 
that slightly stooping form and those, drawn features 
Avere totally unfamiliar. The complexion had been 
darkened by the climate, and but little remained to 
tell of those luxurious tresses of golden hair which 
had been the object of so much admiration and envy. 

Cleora was the first to recognize. The handker- 
chiefs of both then immediately did service, partly 
in Avaving greetings and partly Avith the eyes. In the 
strong current of the Hooghly it took a full half 
hour for the steamship to Avork up Avithin speaking 
distance. 

IMeauAvhile the attention of the tAA^o missionaries 
was someAAdiat diA^erted by an interesting and touch- 
ing scene between an English merchant, upon the 
dock, Avhom Cleora had met, and his daughter, upon 
the steamer’s deck. It Avas now five years since lie 
had sent her home to Derbyshire, a young girl, to com- 
plete her education. She Avas his only child, and could 
hardly remember her mother, Avho Avas at rest in the 
CaAvnpore cemetery. Prospered in business, and 
fairly idolizing his daughter, he had indulged her 
Avith eA^ery luxury, and noAV he saw her for the first 
time, a beautiful, accomplished and attractive Avoman. 

He had boAved to Mrs. Litchfield, but evidently 
could not trust himself to speak or even stand still. 
Back and forth he paced, puffing aAvay Augorously 


THE MEETING IN CALCUTTA, 


331 


with his cigar, and glancing now and then at that 
slender, richly-dressed form npon the quarter-deck, 
til at stood waving her handkerchief and throwing 
kisses at iiim. 

“ He is my papa ; my own dear papa ! ” she ex- 
claimed to Margaret by her side. ‘‘ He is the best 
man in all the world ! What makes him keep turn- 
ing around and looking the other way? O, dear, 
I wish I could fly ! ” 

And evidently to Cleora he wished he could too, 
and he was not quite successful in keeping his eyes 
their natural color, and he must have stopped to read 
the sign on that “ go-down ” a score of times. 

The mother missionary could not help thinking of 
the separations which must come in her own home- 
circle, when especially her own darling would have 
to be sent to America for her education. And the 
other missionary reflected, that, if the bliss of mother- 
hood was the sacrifice she had laid at the Master's 
feet, she was to be saved such agony as the long 
good-by, the intrusting to others’ far-off hands, and 
the turfing of little graves. 

At last the gang-plank was cast, and Cleora and 
jMargaret were locked in each other's arms. 

“ O, jMargaret dear, I want to thank you wdth my 
very first words, for having led iny father and mother 
from the darkness into the light. Such blessed letters 
they have been writing me the last two months ! 
They have told me all about it, but 1 am anxious to 
hear it again directly from your lips.” 

You are mistaken, Cleora. I did not do anything. 


SELF-GIVING. 


QOO 

OoJi 

It was only my privilege to witness the result of your 
many prayers and efforts.” 

“ But tliev both sav, that if you had not visited Bos- 
ton they miglit never have become experimentally 
acquainted with Christ, and thorouglily enlisted in 
his great mission-work throughout the world.” 

‘MVell, we must not commence quarrelling about 
the countino’ of sheaves the first hour of our meeting 

o o 

upon the missionary field.” 

“No, indeed, Margaret; nor ever. But you can 
hardly believe how much of it there is among mission- 
aries ! 

“ As among home ministers? ” 

“ Almost as much. The fact is, we also are only 
weak, broken vessels for the Master’s use. Our piety 
and consecration are fully equalled at home.” 

“ Yes ; but I have met some returned missionaries 
who seemed to feel that their coming to any commu- 
nity was the approach of the millennium.” 

Meanwhile, in Cleora’s gharrv, they, had reached 
the American ^Mission Home, having driven through 
the iMaidan and the Eden Garden, past the Yicero3^’s 
palace, and a little distance out the Chowringee Road. 
Turning to the left up Dhurrumtollah street, Margaret 
found a greeting only second for cordiality to that 
which had already met her at the river bank. 

In the able management of this mission, both the 
visitors were specially impressed with the use made 
of Eurasian assistants. Here were several intelligent, 
earnest, Christian women, toiling early and late 
every day among the surrounding zenanas, in many 


THE MEETING IN CALCUTTA, 


333 


respects preeminently qualified for their evangelizing 
work, with features quite like those of the American 
ladies, only a few shades darker, and including eveiy, 
thing supported at less than half the cost to the mis- 
sion-treasury. So pleased were Cleora and Margaret 
with the admirable working of this feature, that they 
determined to introduce it as soon as practicable 
at Aerra. 

o 

When they were alone in their room for the night, 
Cleora hastened to say : 

know, Margaret, you must be very tired. But 
I am so anxious to liear you tell all about that blessed 
day, when my parents really became the children of 
our Heavenly Fatlier. They write me that they both 
prayed with you. What did they sajq and how did 
they act, and which room was it? And was it very 
plain that they finally came as little children to Jesus? 
Oh ! tell me everything you can remember. I cannot 
sleep until you do.’^ 

And she did. Cleora seemed as radiant as if she 
were really sitting in the Beautiful Gate of the 
Heavenly Temple. Through alternate smiles and 
tears she listened to the precious story. 

‘‘And you heard their first prayer for me as a mis- 
sionary. Thank God ! No more unreconciled and 
bitter feelings. No more angry wrestling with Provi- 
dence. I am so Mad vou were there when the Voice 
spoke peace to their troubled hearts. It must have 
been a wonderful calm, for the billows had been so 
boisterous. Ah, me, of little faith, wherefore did I 
doubt ? ” 


334 


SELF-GIVING. 


/ 


The next day they paid a visit to the Cathedral, 
partly to see the statue of Bishop Heber, and partly 
to be alone witli eacli other, and witlioiit interruption 
talk over the way tlie Lord of infinite wisdom and 
goodness had led them thus far upon life’s journey: 

“ Sometimes, when I think of it,” said Cleora, I 
want to say nothing else than Wonderful! Wonder- 
ful I Wonderful!” 

Sweetly in song, with only God and the angels in 
hearing, Margaret responded : 

When all thy mercies, O my God, 

My rising soul surveys, 

Transported with the view Fm lost 
In wonder, love, and praise. 

“ If I had had my way, how different it would have 
been,” remarked Cleora. I would doubtless have 
been a fashionable butterfly in the aristocratic society 
of Boston, and finally thrown myself away upon some 
man more anxious for my father’s%ioney than for me, 
and therefore quite certain to make my life wretched 
and useless to the end.” 

“ And I,” said INIargaret, ‘‘ would probably have 
gone upon the stage, or married an infidel politician. 
You know I wrote joii about having these opportu- 
nities. But how good God has been to thwart such 
purposes, to keep me out of the sensual society of the 
theatrical profession, and the life-long companionship 
of an entire!}" irreligious, worldly man ! Truly I am 
a brand plucked from the burning. A glorious sal- 
vation, indeed, it is to be saved from ourselves, from 
our own plans and j^urposes in life ! ” 


THE MEETING IN CALCUTTA. 


OOK 
O'jO 

“Yes,” continued Cleora ; “and equally so after 
we have consecrated ourselves entirely to the Lord's 
service. Many times I have been impatient for 
opportunities which have never come, rebellious 
against tasks which have been assigned me, and dis- 
appointed over the immediate results of most prayer- 
ful, painstaking and earnest efforts. But now 
the over-ruling hand of God appears, and I see that 
all tilings have been working togetlier for my good.” 
“ Indeed,” responded Margaret, “I am very much 
ashamed now to think how rebellious I have been at 
times against Providence, especially since you left 
America. Hope deferred has again and again made 
me almost ill. I have prayed, and striven to remove 
obstacles to my coming here and working w;ith you, 
but my faith has sometimes seemed to be tried to the 
very breaking point. Does God hear me? I would 
question ; and is there any use of struggling longer ? 
But now I would rather have my right arm cut off, 
than have had any other plan of my life marked out for 
ine during the last two years, than this one which so 
evidently God’s finger has traced, his eyes have 
watched, his breath has hallowed.” 

“ Let us sing together,” said Cleora, “ those words 
of the blind poetess, Fanny Crosby, which were 
among our favorites at school. They mean a great 
deal more to us now. O, so much more ! 

Safe ill tlie arms of Jesus, 

Safe from corroding care, 

Safe from the world’s temptations, 

Sin cannot harm me there. 


336 


SELF-GIVING. 


Free from the blight of sorrow, 

Free from my doubts and fears ; 

Only a few more ti'ials, 

Only a few more tears. 

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 

Safe on his gentle breast, 

There by his love o’er-shatled 
Sweetly my soul shall rest. 

“ God grant,” added IMargaret as they turned to 
leave the Cathedral, “ that we may be ready to meet 
the coming trials of such professed faith in Jesus ! 
We cannot be allowed to walk by sight as to-day very 
long; it would not be best.” 

Cleora thought of her husband and of her child, 
and, reaching her hand into that of Margaret 
responded — 

Only thus with Jesus ! 

The following morning, the day before starting for 
Agra, the American Consul-General Whiting, a faith- 
ful Christian gentleman and warm friend of mis- 
sions, took iVIrs Litchfield and Miss Kilburne upon 
an excursion to Serampore. As they were his guests, 
he insisted upon a first-class railway carriage, the only 
time these missionaries ever used one in India. 

A moment before the train started, a telegram was 
handed in tlirougli the window to the General by the 
messenger of the Consulate. 

He read it, and immediately placed it in his pocket, 
remarking — 


THE MEETING IN CALCUTTA. 


337 


‘‘ The office is so full of business, that it is quite 
like!}" to follow me.” 

They were soon fifteen miles up the river, at the 

well known place, where, protected from the East 

• 

India Compau}' by the Danish flag, Carey, Marshman 
ami Ward toiled so gloriously at the foundations of 
mission-work in Asia, and where Henry Martyn 
kindled for a brief period the bright flame of his con- 
secration. 

After a brief visit to the College, the pagoda, and 
the car of Juggernaut, they drove to the cemetery, 
wliere rest those three wearied forms which long 
and successfully carried mountains of evangelizing 
responsibility, and proved to the Christian world how 
nearly men can follow in the footsteps of Him who 
came ‘‘not to be ministered unto but to minister.” 

They lingered beside the grave of William Carey. 
The closing line of his epitaph held their attention : 

On thy kind arms I fall. 

“ May those kind arms sustain yon, Mrs. Litchfield,” 
said the General, “ while I read to yon the telegram 
I received as we were leaving Calcntta. It was better 
for you to enjoy this day at Serampore, before the 
breaking of sad news.” 

“ Quickly Margaret’s hand reached over across 
Carey’s grave and tightly clasped the hand of Cleora, 
while she added : 

'Nk 

“ Remember — ‘ Only thus with Jesus ! ’ ” 

“ Is it my husband — my child ? ” 


338 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ No ; but your father has gone to heaven. Mr. 
Litchfield telegraphs that it had been cabled to him, 
and that he wanted me to inform you.” 

There was a few moments’ silence, and then Cleora 
looked upward through her tears again at the 
epitaph, and said : 

The arms of Redeeming Love do not let me fall. 
His hand leads safely on through clouds as well as 
sunshine.” 


/ 


/ 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 


SELF-SUPPOET AND HINDU CASTE. 

I 

I N a few weeks, full explanations were forwarded to 
Agra by the executors of the Lyddell estate. 
It appeared, as is usually the case, that the amount of 
the property was largely overestimated. Mr. Lyddell 
was really a very rich man, but not a million naire. 

One hundred thousand dollars were to be equally 
divided between home and foreign missions, and the 
remainder, estimated at three hundred thousand dol- 
lars, was left half to the widowed mother and half to 
the missionary daughter. 

There was a flaw, however, in the benevolent codi- 
cil to the will, which the executors informed Mrs. 
Litchfield invalidated that portion. In designating 
the societies to receive the bequests, sufficient care 
Iiad not been taken to give their legal names. The 
one was called Mission Societv, when it should have 
been iMissionary Society ; and the other was entitled 
Foreign instead of American Foreign. 

But Cleora was prompt to comply with the sugges- 
tion of her mother, and sign a joint paper, directing 
that the executors carry out the evident purpose of 
the will. What to do, however, with her own for- 

339 


340 


SELF-GIVIXG, 


•t 


tune was a more difficult problem. Upon this sub- 
ject Llewellyn was quite reticent, preferring that his 
wife should work out the solution by herself. 

Slie did not think that it would be wise to furnish 
her liouse any better, or to build at their mission-sta- 
tion a more expensive dwelling, or to take a vacation 
in America sooner than allowed by their society. A 
few articles of dress were very much needed b}^ her- 
self and children, but then they could be provided 
out of the salary. She might erect and equip large 
school-buildings, but that would not be consistent 
Avith the plan upon Avhich they had been endeavoring 
to found their educational AAmrk. 

However, there was the education of her children, 
for Avhich, at le.ast, no generous provision Avas made 
by the mission-treasury. And then health AA'as liable 
at any time to break, and after a year or two at 
home, if they could not return to their Avork, they 
would be expected to shift for themselves. 

Thus Cleora thought, and she prayed that she 
might be enabled to act in the light of eternitju 
Finally she expressed her desires to her husband. 

“ I feel, LleAA^ellyn, that the most important inter- 
est is our mission-work. It has been moving foiuvard 
according to our best judgment, and we have believed 
that Ave Avere guided by a Avisdom from aboA^e. AVe 
could noAV act quite independently of the executiA^e 
authorities, but it would be neither right nor best. 
This station does not really belong to us, only as aa^c 
are Iaa^o of thousands of Christians in America. And 
it is necessary that its missionaries should continue 


SELF-SUPPOBT AND HINDU CASTE. 


341 


to live lives of great personal sacrifice. A year of 
pride, and luxury, and display would threaten the 
ruin of our work.” 

Llewellyn could not longer resist tlie impulse of his 
heart, but sprung to her side and folded her in his 
arms. 

“ Thank God for such a wife ; for such a co-laborer 
on this mission-field ! Glorious will be your crown of 
rejoicing in heaven ! ” 

“•Not for that, not for these heathen, not for you, 
but above all, for Jesus. What will please him? 
And I think he will be the best satisfied if I place 
my legacy as a trust-fund in the hands of our mission- 
societ}^, the interest to be on call by ourselves and 
children if needed, all not drawn at the end of each 
year to revert to the general mission treasury.” 

A kiss upon her forehead, and Llewellyn knelt by 
her side in prayer. 

It was a prayer of thanksgiving. Botli were in 
blissful consciousness of the personal presence and 
approving smile of Emmanuel. Earth seemed very 
little ; heaven very near. 

Ah, how sweet it will be ! ” exclaimed Cleora 
upon rising, ‘"when all selfishness has been taken out 
of our hearts, and Christ only is there ! ” 

And slie added in song : 

O Love of love, flow in ! 

This hateful root of sin 

Pluck up, destroy within ; 

O Love of love, flow in ! 

While great care was taken not to divert Margaret’s 


342 


SELF-GIVING. 


attention from the most rapid possible acquisition of 
the language, she could relieve the pressure so much 
in many little ways, that it was decided the time had 
come to adopt more thoroughly their plans of self- 
support in regard to their mission-school enterprises. 

The theological students were employed three hours 
a -day in the printing establishment, and several also 
of the other pupils. But for the increasing numbers 
of both the boys and girls’ schools, another indus- 
trial department was required. Especially when the 
new building for the girls’ boarding-school should be 
completed, there must be more opportunity for work. 

After much inquiry and consideration it was 
decided, notwithstanding the protests and ridicule of 
several other missionaries, that it was practicable to 
establish, or rather to allow the establishment by 
native capitalists upon a leased corner of the mission 
grounds of an Indian shawl manufactory. Seetul 
Das, Moulvie and Company, the great shawl mer- 
chants of Delhi, offered to erect the building, to fur- 
nish it with overseers and instructors and material, and 
to give preference in all employment to the members 
of the mission-schools. The shrewd Hindu firm reck- 
oned that there were more than enough offsets to 
the inexperience and broken time of their employes, 
in their greater intelligence, their higher ambition, 
their association with foreigners, and in the extensive 
advertising which this new feature to the business 
would bring. 

There is no answer to all criticism like success. 
The majority of the girls learned very readily to work 


SELF-SUPPORT AND HINDU CASTE. 


343 


each her own little piece, which eventually took its 
place in a completed Indian shawl. Others assorted, 
carded and spun the Cashmere wool, and still others 
dyed it in the various brilliant colors. The results 
were not the most expensive shawls, but such as the 
native aristocracy buy in large numbers for a hundred 
dollars each, or which retail at three times that price 
in Paris, London or New York. 

Thus through the exercise of a great deal of busi- 
ness enterprise and tact in the establishment of the 
two industrial departments of the mission, all the 
schools were made entirely self-supporting. The 
parents and friends of a third of the day students and 
boarders met their expenses, but all the others were 
enabled to earn their own way. Not counting the 
salaries of the missionaries, all other cost of the 
schools was covered, and at the end of the fifth year 
of the mission Mr. Litchfield was enabled to notify 
the society that farther appropriations to the school 
department of the Agra mission were not required. 

The same mail which took this welcome message, 
carried piteous appeals from one of the other missions 
for more funds to support its schools. The cause of 
the difference was that which makes the contrasts 
over the whole business-world between success and 
failure. The one party could; tlie other could not. 
The former had ability to have made a business 
success in New York City ; the latter had not, or at 
least they thought they had not, which is practically 
the same. 

All this was far from being a labor-saving arrange- 


344 


SELF-GIVING. 


ment for the missionaries. They might have econo- 
mized many anxious hours of thought and toil, by 
simply using all the appropriations they could secure 
from the home society for mission schools, and making 
their most polite bows to the commissioner in charge 
of the government ‘‘ grants-in-aid.” 

But they were jnstified in more ways than by the 
immediate results. The native church soon caught 
the spirit of the school enterprise, and voluntarily 
assumed the entire support of its pastor. And at 
several of the out-stations, Secundra, Chitaura, 
Toon d la, Sitala, Dholepore, Govardhan, and Batesh- 
war, the native Christians and their associates began 
to contribute liberally toward the building of chapels 
and the maintenance of preaching services. 

Better still, there was an evident improvement in 
the character of the converts. The people came to 
understand that this mission was not a benevolent 
institution for the distribution of charities. They saw 
that to become a Christian did not mean to accept 
alms or even wages of the missionaries. Those who 
could be actuated only by mercenary motives were 
more frequently kept away, and the examination of 
applicants for baptism became increasingly satisfac- 
tory. Then, too, as the months went by, the converts 
made perceptible growth. They left their childhood 
behind with its dependence and improvidence, and 
became men and women in Christ Jesus. 

On a morning there were two little ones in the mis- 
sion home. Twins; and they were named Judson 
and Maro’aret. Llewellyn insisted that he would not 


SELF-SUPPOBT AND HINDU CASTE, 


345 


inflict a Jr. on his son, but that with girls it was dif- 
ferent, and so nothing could please him more than, as 
Cleora had had her namesake, Margaret should now 
have hers. Toward evening of that same day, the 
promised cabinet organ for the chapel arrived, a gift 
from a church in Vermont. It was brought from the 
railway-station to the dwelling. 

^‘Now,” said the happy father, “we will have 
some music over the new arrivals. I will play and 
Miss Kilburne will sing.” 


But after he had unscrewed the great box, he found 
the instrument all fallen apart wherever the pieces 
had been joined by glue, or otherwise than by screws 
and clamps. The donors had not been prudent 
enough to secure an organ adapted to ocean transpor- 
tation, and to the moisture and heat of India. 

The great difficulty with the mission-schools, as 
also with the church organizations, was that hydra- 
monster, which is at all points the chief hindrance to 
Christianity in India — caste. There is caste in other 
lands, but not such caste as rules in India. Everv- 
where in human society there are different ranks, yet 
it is generally felt that before the Deity and the grave, 
all men are equal, and Christianity teaches the uni- 
versal brotherhood of man. But the popularized 
Brahmanism, called Hinduism, esteems this the height 
of absurdity. No idea could be more abhorrent. 

Said the father of a boy who was anxious to join 
the mission-school : 

“Would Litchfield Sahib place birds and fish to- 
gether? No ; they are different in kind. And my 


4 


346 


SELF-GIVING. 


son is a Vaisya, not to be confounded with the Brah- 
mans, or with any of the Sudra-castes. 

“ But do you believe that your caste sprung from 
the tlrigh of Brahma, tlie Bralunans from his mouth, 
the Ksliatriyas from his arm and the Sudras from his 
feet?” 

‘^No; though there must be some ground, some 
reality to this universal belief among us Hindus. I 
think I have come to believe in creation as you do, 
but I cannot give up our caste-feeling.” 

“ Which is the most important with you, caste or 
religious belief? ” 

‘‘ O, caste indeed. We do not care what people 
think and feel, if they will only observe the rules of 
society, and all remain in their own places through 
life.” 

Is not caste then really your religion, your god ? ” 
Yes. It would be right to say so. You are very 
clear-sighted. The natural distinctions among men 
and their preservation fill all our tlioughts for this life 
and the beyond. You missionaries may have all our 
idols, if you will not interfere with our caste-svstem.” 

But Llewellyn, Cleora and Margaret were firm in 
allowing no compromise in church or school. By this 
stand the}^ lost much, but they gained more ; and the 
progress they made was intelligent, intelligible and 
solid. 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 


MISS kilburne’s mission work. 

I T was not to enter upon any new evangelistic enter- 
prise that Margaret came to Agra. She had no 
idea that her grand mission was to show how limited 
the sphere of men’s labors in heathen lands, and what 
useless impediments are tlie married women mission- 
aries. While in America, of late years, she had had 
much to do with the home department of the great 
work, 3^et her constant aim and endeavor had been to 
preserve a true womanly attitude, to press forward in 
her own legitimate sphere, and thus in an auxiliary 
and supplementary way to accomplish the best 
results. So when Margaret entered upon her life in 
India, it Avas with no unseemly violence to the beau- 
tiful and inestimable instinct of womanhood ; no dis- 
position to undervalue the services of those whose 
hearts had become one in life’s toil, and no intention 
to do otherwise than to help on and fill out the work 
of those who had gone before her. 

There, you see, Llewellyn, it is just as I told 
you,” observed Cleora one evening after Miss Kib 
burne had retired to her room; ‘‘our Margaret is to 
be a help and no hindrance.’' 

347 


348 


SELF-GIVING, 


“It does seem so, Cleora. But I liave been afraid 
all along that you over-estimated your friend’s 
good sense and Avomanlj^ grace.” 

“ You thought she might be another Belle Harold 
of Delhi.” 

“ O, no ; for I knew she had outgrown ‘ sweet 
sixteen,’ and would not be likely to indulge in any 
smirking and whimpering around our station. I 
expected a mature woman, but dreaded lest she prove 
masculine and opinionative and headstrong, as l\Iiss 
Griffis of Benares.” 

“ She is making w^onderful progress in the language, 
and, though beginning to be able to communicate 
freely with the natives, preserves the same humble, 
deferential ambition to help us both right on in the 
work begun.” 

“ Surely it is very beautiful, Cleora. Coming 
under the auspices of another society, she has special 
temptation to ignore the various foundations we have 
been trying to lay, and to strike out veiy independ- 
ently and pompously. In her re|Dorts home she can. 
not make it sound very grandly, that she is doing aux- 
iliary and supplementary service in connection with 
our station. Yet this is evidently her j^nrpose.” 

“ Beautiful, indeed ; but have not we a duty to see 
that she does not carry this too far? ” 

“Yes, darling; as also to avoid the temptation of 
glorifying our work with her labors. I think we 
should arrange to transfer the girls’ school to her 
charge, so that IMargaret’s supporters may feel that 
this at least belongs specially to them.” 


MISS KILBUBNW S MISSION WORK. 


349 


And so it was arranged. Witli a pleasant little 
speech, Cleora before the assembled school resigned 
the snperintendency to j\Iargaret, promising to be a 
frequent visitor, and holding ont the hope of now 
seeing the day students more often in tlieir own 
homes. 

When this transfer, so amicable, so pleasant, 
became known to the other two mission stations in 
Agra, a controversy immediately closed, which had 
been going on for more tlian a year, as to which soci- 
ety a certain prominent out-station belonged. 

As most of the teaching in the girls’ school con- 
tinued to be done by the natives, it was thought wise 
for IMargaret to relieve Cleora of the care of the 
Bible women’s class. Already ten Christian women, 
unencumbered Avith domestic cares, had become 
qualified to go with Mrs. Litchfield or by themselves, 
tAvo by tAvo, among the native homes of Agra and 
vicinity, reading and explaining God’s word. To 
seperintend this little force Avith daily directions and 
counsel, and to folloAV up personally special cases as 
brought by them to her attention, seemed to Cleora 
all the responsibility in that department Avhich she 
could continue safely to carry. So the other ten, 
Avho needed from six months to a year's farther prepa- 
ration to become useful Bible Avomen, Avere transferred 
to jNIargaret’s instruction. 

The need of a medical department and of a hospi- 
tal had become more and more apparent, as the con- 
verts and adlierents of the mission increased in num- 
bers. Mr and Mrs. Litchfield had been compelled to 


350 


t^ELF-GIVING, 


give ranch attention to the sick, and through such 
ministrations had reached many homes and hearts 
with the gospel message. But calls were becoming 
so numerous, and so scattered over inaccessible dis- 
tances, and tlie facilities for caring for any upon the 
mission-premises were so poor, that it became very 
evident to the missionaries that their station should 
have a well furnished medical department. 

But previous to Margaret’s coming, and for more 
than a year after, the difficulties seemed insurmount- 
able. Particularly Mr. LitclifieUrs Society, though 
supporting a few medical missionaries, was not yet 
hearty in establishing and sustaining dispensaries and 
hospitals. It unduly magnified their cost, and under- 
estimated their value. The}^ could not furnish 
statistics of evangelizing results so well in hand, as 
other departments of mission work. 

On the contrary, the Society which supported Miss 
Kilburne was specially interested in medical missions. 
It was felt to be so Christ-like to heal bodies, in order 
to secure opportunities for the healing of souls. But 
the resources were not yet equal to more than pro- 
viding her with a few hundred dollars outfit of 
medicines and surgical instruments, in addition to 
those which had been given her in Boston. 

Although Cleora was able now from her own prop- 
erty to erect and equip a hospital, and even to engage 
the services of a male physician, she hesitated long, 
even in the presence of the rapidly increasing demand, 
to step forward in advance of the judgment of the 
Society’s executive officers. With her husband and 


MISS KILBURNE’S MISSION WORK. 


351 


Margaret she held frequent and anxious conferences 
upon the subject, and between tlie necessit}' daily before 
them and ‘‘the stupidity ” — they could not help but 
call it sometimes — of the Rooms, Cleora was almost on 
the point of sacrificing a cherished principle, and of 
having her own way despite the executive officers, 
when the providence of God signally interposed to 
solve the difficulty of the situation. 

Immediately adjoining the mission-compound was 
an estate belonging to the IMaharajah of Vizianagram. 
There were five acres of land within the high stone 
wall enclosure, well covered with trees and choice 
garden foliage. In the centre was one of liis score of 
palaces, a two-story building, seventy feet square, of 
brick and stone, and surrounded on all sides by a 
broad veranda. Along the rear of the grounds was a 
row of eight well constructed, ordinary native dwell- 
ings, for the use of the servants of his Highness, when 
he might visit Agra, as he did once or twice a year. 

On this Maharajah’s third visit after Margaret 
began her missionary life, she was surprised one 
morning to see him, accompanied by Mr. Litchfield, 
walking into her school-room. He had observed the 
enterprise of those “foreign religion people,'’ had 
heard of the printing and shawl industries, and 
had met some of the intelligent students passing his 
grounds to and from the city, and so his curiosity had 
led him to saunter into the compound that morning all 
alone, and to ask the missionary to show him around. 

Cleora did not see his Highness except through a 
crack in the door, and he did not care particularly to 


352 


SELF-GIVING. 


meet Margaret, for she was only a woman. But he 
expressed a wisli to see the latter’s school, and there 
was no other way tlian for him to extend to her a little 
civility, which he did at first very awkwardly and 
reluctantly. 

But for the cause it was probably the opportunity 
of a life time, and with a silent prayer in her heart for 
wisdom and tact, Margaret immediately put forth 
every effort to enlist the Maharajah’s interest in 
her w^ork. 

The history of his family had been gone over in con- 
nection with liis visit to Agra, and it delighted him 
to hear the class examined on that subject. 

Several of the more popular native tunes, to which 
Cleora had adapted Christian hymns, were sung, 
and the weird, plaintive melodies charmed him as no 
foreign music could have done. 

Pie was asked himself to examine them in geog- 
raphy and arithmetic, and all his questions were 
correctly and promptly answered, and by girls. 

“This is really wonderful!” — exclaimed the 
Maharajah. “ We would think more of our women 
if their heads were not so empty. But you seem to 
be able to fill them. I feel very grateful for such 
service. May I have the pleasure of meeting all you 
missionaries at my table this evening? ” 

The invitation was of course equal to a command, 
and at a feast prepared in the best P’rench style, with all 
the accessories the Agra English hotel could furnish, 
the three were seated with their princely host. 

It required all the tact possible on the part of the 


MISS KILBURNE’S MISSION WORK. 


353 


missionaries to keep the conversation going outside 
of religious and other prohibited subjects. 

Toward the close of the evening, with a boldness 
that almost made Margaret faint, as in an instant she 
realized what she was saying, she remarked : 

O, your Highness, I wisli I was rich enough to 
buy from you this building and its grounds for hospi- 
tal and school purposes ! ” 

^ ‘‘ It is not necessary for you to have money,” he 
replied instantly, “ I give tljem to you.” 

And as the three missionaries sat there for a moment 
in speechless astonishment, the Maharajah continued 
with a hearty laugh — 

“ O, yes ; I mean it. I will have my treasurer 
make out the papers for you to-morrow. I am -not a 
Christian. But you are doing much good, and I 
am glad to help you.” 

In a few da}'S Margaret was in possession, with the 
property deeded to her Society, in trust for liospital 
and school purposes, witli several sick people on her 
hands, her class of Bible women meeting her two 
hours every morning in that same dining-room, and 
the rear dwellings filling up with native Christian 
families which she encouraged to come from the 
wretched out-lying villages for terms of from one to 
three months, that she might give them lessons in 
domestic life, teaching them how to be more cleanly 
in their habits and to secure with their measure 
resources far more comfort and |)i ensure. 

While Miss Kilburne and Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield, 
who frequently assisted her, soon realized that the 


354 


SELF-GIVING. 


medical department had outgrown them, and urged 
the appointment of a thorouglilj' educated male phy- 
sician, they kept on doing as well as they could, 
occasionally calling in an army surgeon, but being 
compelled at times to decide themselves in very criti- 
cal cases, and even to use the knife in amputations 
and other surgical operations. 

For the girls’ school Margaret found a second 
Eurasian assistant, and under circumstances, thougli 
very distressing, by no means uncommon among this 
large and rapidly increasing class of India’s popula- 
tion. Her mother had been a nautch-girl, and her 
father a captain in the British army. Abandoned by 
him, mother and daughter struggled on, the former to 
save her child from a life of shame, and the latter to 
cultivate her gifts, v/hich were more than Indian and 
less than English. As the youijg Eurasian grew up 
to womanhood, she felt herself above native society 
and was repelled from all familiar intercourse with 
the foreign community. To live and work with the 
Hindus Avas utterly distasteful to her, and every 
social door was shut against her Avherever she sought 
honorable treatment at the liands of those whose com- 
plexion was only a little lighter than her own. 

As early one evening Margaret and her first assist- 
ant teacher were strolling along the bank of the J umna 
a little above the Taj, an empty boat came floating 
past them, and grounded a few feet below. At the 
same moment, a few rods up the river and nearly 
in the centre, they saw a woman struggling in the 
water. Neither Margaret nor her companion, 


MISS KILBURNE’S MISSION WORK. 


355 


Almorali, were straiigers to the oar, and in a few 
moments they reached with the boat the drowning 
one, or rather where but a moment before she had 
disappeared. 

Again, however, not far off, the body rose to the 
surface, and with great difficulty and danger they 
drew the unconscious form into the boat, and hastened 
to the shore, if possible to revive her. 

Margaret knew exactly what to do in the emer- 
gency, and had soon tlie gratification of seeing this 
young Eurasian woman gasp for breath, and presently 
open her eyes and move her lips. 

“ O, why did you save me ! ” she exclaimed. 

“ Did you want to die ? ” replied Margaret. 

Yes. But the sand-bag slipped from my neck. 
I will tie it tighter the next time.” 

“ Dear friend, we will take you with us, and try 
and make life sweeter to you.” 

“ Impossible. I know it. There is no place for me 
in this world among the pure and good.” 

But Margaret and Almorah did find a place for poor, 
discouraged Goolab, or Miriam, as she asked after- 
wards to be called. And her services as second 
assistant in the girls’ school, not only relieved her of 
all suicidal intent, but also saved the missionary ladies 
much time and effort, which elsewhere could be used 
to greater advantage. 

Among the many homes which Margaret’s hospital 
work opened to her Christian influence, was that 
of Baboo Khiyali. His wife was lying very low, and 
he came himself for the “lady-doctor.” 


356 


SELF-GIVING, 


Margaret returned with liiin, taking along a Bible- 
woinan as escort. Slie found the sufferer witliiii lier 
power to help, but it was necessary to remain all 
niglit. 

I will make everything comfortable for you,” said 
the anxious husband. And an hour later IMargaret 
found he had proyided in the adjoining room call that 
he thought was necessaiy for the happiness of a 
foreigner. 

o 

There were seyeral kinds of tlie choicest wines, a bot- 
tle of brandy, and meat and milk wdiich he would no 
more have tasted than poison. All had been ordered 
from the hotel to feast tlie ‘‘ foreign devil ” whose 
famous witchcraft ” was to save the life of his 
wife. 

Her declining to taste even any of his intoxicating 
drink was the first of a long series of surprises in the 
missionary’s intercourse with that family, which con- 
tinued very intimate for several weeks. 

One afternoon, Margaret found lier fullj^ recovered 
patient in a state of great excitement. 

“ O, mem-sahib ! ” she exclaimed, “ what shall I do 
to-day? It is the great festival day of all the year to 
Vishnu, when every Hindu must make offerings. 
But I believe as vou do. It is all wrong. Yet 
my husband will compel me, or divorce me if I 
refuse.” 

The Baboo was at that moment passing through the 
court, and it flashed through Margaret’s mind to ask 
him, after all she had done for his wife, to allow her 
to neglect that day the heathen rites. 


MISS KILBURNE’S MISSION WORK, 


357 


“ Certainly,” said he, “ and I am glad she is so sen- 
sible. I am not going to observe the day myself, but 
I was afraid to tell her so lest she should make 
a great deal of trouble about it.” 

‘‘ Perhaps,” added Margaret, ‘‘ there is more you 
should tell each other.” 

‘‘Well ; I would like to know if my wife is going 
to be a Christian.” 

There was a moment’s silence, while Margaret 
praj’ed to Plim who alone could hear, that strength 
be given to the new convert. 

“ Yes, Baboo Kliiyali ; yes, though }’ou kill me ! ” 

“ Kill you? I was afraid you would poison me, or 
I would have told you weeks ago that I no loiiger 
worship idols, but only the Christian’s God. I have 
been reading the Christian Bible, and it is true.” 

The women could only answer him for some 
moments with tears of jo}-, while he, nervously pacing 
the room, added : 

“ It will go hard with us, Amroha. But we must 
be brave. The Christian’s God says he will be with 
us to the end.” 


CHAPTER XXXV. 


NATIVE PKEACHERS AND ERRATIC MISSIONARIES. 


RACTICE for those in study, and study for those 


in practice, was Mr. Litchfield’s motto for all his 
native preachers. Those in his theological school, who 
had been under instruction for at least six months, were 
sent out eveiy Saturday evening or Sunday morning 
to the village-stations, and expected at the latest by 
Monday afternoon, to report upon the various relig- 
ious services they had held. It was always an ex- 
ceedingh" profitable occasion, when, assembled with 
the missionary, they eacli related for his approbation 
or kindly criticism what they had said and done, and 
explained for his counsel the difficulties and perplex- 
ities that had arisen. 

Then, when pastors were settled over the native 
churches, Mr. Litchfield adopted the plan of having 
them all spend two weeks at the close of each 
quarter of the year at the central station, analyzing 
tliose portions of Scripture that had been assigned foi\ 
their three months’ studjq reporting and receiving 
advice as to difficult questions that had arisen in their 
different fields of labor, and listening to introductory 
addresses and commentary upon such parts of Ihe 

358 



NATIVE PBEACIIEES. 


359 


Bible as sliould be their special study for the en- 
suing quarter. 

For several years, however, the latter part of this 
delightful plan would not probably have been 
enjoyed, but for the fortunate visit of the senior secre- 
tary for a week on his tour around the world of 
Christian missions. Doctor Hartwell was pleased with 
Mr. Litchfield’s caution and conservatism, but felt 
that he was unduly withholding pastoral responsibility 
from his more advanced native preachers. Under 
this opportune counsel the missionary acted, without 
ever having any occasion for regret. God honored 
the added trust in his ability to use the imperfect 
instrumentalities he had chosen. 

At one time Mr. Litchfield was tempted to travel 
outside the legitimate sphere of his instruction in 
training native preachers. Two of his theological 
class had visited a government-college, and they were 
restless for less of the Bible and more of science. The 
missionary was anxious not to lose them, and he gave 
several months’ instruction in algebra and geometry, 
chemistry and mechanics, history and English. 

On examination-da}^, several of the British army- 
officers came over from the fort at the missionary’s 
request, as he was quite confident that he could make 
as fine a display of scientific attainments with his 
class as they had witnessed in any other school in 
India. 

But when Colonel Cunningham in a few enthusiastic 
words announced at the close that he would give a 
commission to every one of these scholars if they would 


360 


SELF-GIVING, 


join the army, Mr. Litchfield, saw Iiis mistake, and 
returned to a course of almost exclusive Bible- 
instruction for his theological class. The demand 
for native preachers of very moderate attainments 
outside of thorough Sunday-school training, as it 
might be described, was so great, the missionary 
came to realize that he must resist the temptation of 
the secular sciences, as also avoid the risk of losing his 
pupils among the ranks of the army and civil service. 

He had but little difficulty with the salaries of his 
natives preachers, at least in fixing their amounts, 
until, upon the occasion of the conversion of a very 
prominent and learned Brahman, the committee 
at home learning that he desired to be a preacher, 
voted him the same salary as the missionary. The 
native was wise enough to see that he should not 
receive all of it, but even what he was willing to take 
embarrassed Mr. Litchfield’s arrangements with sev- 


eral of the other 2^1’eachers. It was very plainly a 
mistake not to leave this to the missionarv. 

“I am glad he has gone at last ! ” exclaimed Llewel- 
lyn, as he returned one evening from seeing Rev. Mr. 
Bond and wife off at the railway-station for Bareilly. 

‘‘ I only wish their work henceforth was to be as 
far off from ours as Peshawur or Cape Comorin,” 
replied Cleora. 

‘‘ If it could be right,” added Margaret, who had 
lingered since the parting with the missionaries, I 
would liave IMrs. Bond left here to join me in my 
work, for she is a most amiable and capable' woman, 
and him recalled to America.” 


NATIVE FREACTIEllS, 


861 


These wliose assis^nment to the new station to the 
North, with snb-station at Nainee Tal, liad finally 
been arranged after a year’s correspondence with the 
Rooms, had been sent to India on account of the 
earnest solicitations of the junior secretary, who Avas a 
personal friend, and prejudiced in favor of Mr. Bond. 
The executive committee had not taken sufficient 
pains to examine his antecedents. He had been a 
pastor of several churches in Kansas, skipping from 
one to another with remarkable celerit}^, and evidenc- 
ing an unusual deficiency in good judgment, tact and 
amiability. 

It is one of the mysteries of Providence that such 
a crooked stick, too crooked to lie still,” should 
ever be permitted to locate in the foreign field. It 
was very ludicrous to hear him finding so much 
fault with the language, scolding his teacher, denying 
the accuracy of his dictionary, and insisting upon the 
idiocy of the grammar. He did not treat the natives 
with any suavity, or even with ordinary politeness, 
and the missionaries he had been sent to help he 
Avas constantly hindering Avith his obtuseness and 
obstinacy. 

But now he Avas gone. O, hoAv glad they Avere ; 
for though they Avere overwhelmed with Avork, and 
painfully anxious for assistance, they could do far 
better without that kind. And Avhen a few Aveeks 
after the native preacher, Avho accompanied the 
burdensome reinforcement to his neAA" station, returned 
to Agra discouraged and thoroughly out of patience, 
they Avere not surprised. 


362 


SELF-GIVING. 


Help must be had, however, at Agra, and a Rev. 
Mr. Fowler and wife, accompanied by a i\Iiss Tulip, 
were sent on from Boston. But in six montlis the 
latter was married to an English merchant of Allalia- 
bad. Both the others seemed perfectly mated in 
indolence, sensitiveness, extravagance, and in disposh 
tion to do anything else than their own legitimate 
work. 

Mr. Fowler made very slow progress in learning 
Hindi, partly from having unfortunately adopted the 
theory that the language would come to him in due 
time from intercourse with the natives, and partly 
from spending half his working-time in writing letters 
to very much too large a list of home correspondents. 
Two or three of his first contributions to the Society's 
magazine were cut down, and one was rejected, and a. 
number of his immature plans for “ bringing up the 
Agra mission into real efficiency ” failed of approval, 
and therefore he seemed to feel it necessary to keep 
parading his grievances before the scores of prominent 
ministers and laymen at home. 

At about this time an ageift of one of the Bible 
societies located in Agra, and began indiscriminately 
giving to the natives cheap copies of various portions 
of Scripture. .In vain the other missionaries urged 
discrimination and the need of accompanying God’s 
word with the living voice. In vain they promised to 
arrange the work for their native preachers so that 
the utmost possible of wise, evangelistic colportage 
might be done under his supervision in Agra, and in 
many scores of the surrounding villages. 


NATIVE PllEAClIERS, 


303 


‘‘ Tliere, Cleora, I liave made my first purchase of 
tobacco to-day in the bazaar,” announced Llewellyn, 
as returning fVom a street-preaching service one after- 
noon he laid, a little bundle upon the centre table. 

What, 3 ’ou going to learn to smoke ! ” 

“No, indeed; but see what is wrapped around tliat 
cheroot, and what is the outside of those cigaretts.” 

“Why! They are leaves from the Bible. What 
a shame ! ” 

“Yes; and it comes from Mr. Harvey’s indiscrimi- 
nate Bible-work. He gives to anybody who will 
take, no matter for what purpose. I do not believe 
his Society would justify him in such recklessness. 
He h as probably had some special donation, which 
lie is throwing heedlessly and worse than uselessly 
away. I am going to take my purchase to him this 
evening, for perhaps this is an argument he will con- 
sider.” 

On a summer evening of 1873, an hour after the 
three children had retired, Cleora and Margaret were 
interrupted in their preparation of the next month’s 
Sunday-school paper by a call. An English lady, a 
total stranger, had driven directly from the station to 
the mission home, and meeting Mr. Litchfield upon 
the veranda, requested the opportunity.of immediately 
seeing his wife. 

“ My name is Mrs. Sampson, of Bristol, England,” 
the new-comer announced to the surprised ladies, and 
to Mr. Litchfield, who half suspected that they were 
greeting an escaped lunatic. 

“ I have come here to work with you as a mission- 


364 


SELF-GIVING, 


aiy,” slie continued. “I have property and will pay 
more than my own expenses. I am sure that God 
has sent me here, and that he will bless my stay in 
Agra.” 

‘‘Have 3^ou any credentials? ” asked Mr. Litchfield. 

“ None whatever. I do not wish aii3\ I simply 
have faith in God. He prepares the way before me, 
and I stay or go. It is all the same. O, friends, I 
hope you may know what is this perfect rest of 
faith ! ” 

“We know that it is not such a stupid lullaby at 
least,” thought Llewellyn to himself ; and he added 
aloud : 

“I would not unnecessarily luirt the feelings of 
this stranger lady. But we have important interests 
here to guard, interests which rise above all personal 
considerations ; and I cannot advise cooperating with 
any missionary who comes without a certificate of 
cimrch membership and Avithout a commission from 
some recognized evangelical society.” 

But his wife and Margaret were otlierwise inclined. 
Though they acknowledged him right upon general 
principles, they felt that this was an exceptional case. 
The necessity could hardly be greater for the help of 
some woman-missionary, and of one who would not 
probably marry off ujAon the first call of any lonely 
gentleman. Then here was a lady who asked for 
nothing but opportunity" to Avork ; no salary, and even 
])ay her oaaui board. She Avas also ready" to hand them 
fifty^ pounds sterling, earnest money" in advance. 
Then, notwithstanding the informality of the intro- 


NATIVE PBEACIIERS, 


S65 


(1 net ion, iUrs. Sampson Inid sncli a sweet face, and 
was s(; tliieiit in ])ioiis words, and could quote Script- 
ure so readily, Mr Litclifield’s advice was unheeded, 
and Mar oaret invited the new-comer to a room in 
the hospital. 

lint it proved a calamitv. The missionary weekly 
prnyer meeting was s[)oiled hy ATrs. Sampson’s per- 
fectionist eo'otism. As the Eurasia n converts could 
speak English, she first poisoned their minds with 
doubt as to the true piety of the other missionaries’ 
lives. Then, as she began to communicate in Hindi, 
she was free to declare that all the converts were 
little better tluin heathen, and that Christ was not 
being taught in all his fulness and power. 

When at last Margaret and Cleora were undeceived, 
and kindly but decidedly told Mrs. Sampson that she 
must go, she did not go alone. With ready funds, 
she hired a bungalow across the road, and drew after 
her the principal of the girls’ school, several of the 
convalescents of the hospital, six families of the 
church, and even two of Mr. Litchfield’s theological 
class. 

Her farewell assurance to the missionaries was — 
“I know the blessed Lord has enabled me to do more 
good in Agra than you all. I feel it ; and there can 
be no question about it.” 

Thrown out among the heathen, and almost 
excluded henceforth from power of mischief-making 
amono' the adherents of all tlie Agra mission-stations, 

o O' 

the new ‘‘ faith-mission ” dwindled into almost nothing 
in the course of a year, when suddenly Mrs. Sampson 


3G6 


SELF-GIVING. 


‘‘ felt ” called to assist the missionaries in the old city 
of Pegn, Burmali; and she went. No question again 
of her duty. 

Not long after this came another pestilence to the 
mission work in Agra, though fortunately it spent 
itself chiefly among the adherents of one of the other* 
stations. The wife of the missionary in charge went 
crazy over tlie second coming of Christ. She liad 
figured it up carefully, and was sure tliat the advent 
was to be at a certain midnight. “ Figures will not 
lie.” 

Over twenty converts, mostly women, three of them 
from Mr. Litchfield’s flock, were thoroughly carried 
away with the delusion. They dropped all practical 
religious duties, neglected their families, became 
angry with every one who did not fall in with their 
monomania, and spent their time practising songs 
they were soon to use among the angels, and prepar- 
ing their white robes in which they were to be caught 
up into the air to meet their Lord. 

It was one of the strangest sights that had ever 
been witnessed in Agra — at that midnight hour. 
All the missionaries were at their homes save the 
deluded leader, glad that the crisis of the imposition 
had come, }^et sorrowful over so much diversion of 
attention and so much inevitable disrepute brought 
upon the Christian religion. 

Solemnly the white-robed procession, with palms 
in their hands, surrounded by thousands of amused 
and hooting natives, marched along the streets in the 
direction of the Taj. On reaching the marble terrace 


NATIVE FREACIIEES, 


367 


of the vast mausoleum, the expectant company sepa- 
rated into four sections, one for each of the lofty cor- 
ner minarets. There, many feet above the laughing 
crowd, which was being assured by scores of accom- 
panying Brahmans that this was Christianity, the 
waiting spectres stood silently gazing up into the sky. 
But twelve o’clock came and passed. The whistle 
of the one o’clock train from Delhi, to which hundreds 
below called their attention, discouraged even the 
missionary leader, and she gave the signal for retreat. 

Her explanation was, that she had been permitted 
by the Lord to make a mistake of one year, be- 
cause she had not anticipated the high honor in 
store for her as the bride of Emmanuel, and conse- 
quently had not prepared herself by separation from 
her earthly husband. At once she left him, and was 
found a few days after a raving maniac, nearly 
starved to death, in a neighboring jungle. 

Little liad Mr. and Mrs. Litchtield and Miss Kil- 
burne anticipated that as their station became more 
prosperous and conspicuous, so many erratic mission- 
aries would afflict them. But still they came. The 
next was a merely passing meteor, who could stop 
only a few days to let the Christians in Agra know 
how to convert the world in ten years. Then fol- 
lowed two young men from England, extreme ritual- 
ists, who fitted up a small chapel and sought to dis- 
pel the vast heathen darkness of India by burning 
daily several pounds of candles. 

Afterward came a good brother and sister, who 
were sure that the heathen millions could be much 


368 


SELF-GIVING, 


nioie qiiicldy evangelized if only the missionaries 
would dress and live as the natives. So they 
wiapped scanty bits of cloth around their hips and 
shoulders, ate with their fingers, dwelt in huts 
besmeared within and without with cow-dung, and 
prayed for the millennium. 

One cadaverous bachelor-missionary rode around in 
Agia a few months the hobby of no betelnut- 
chewing or tobacco-smoking for Christians. His prin- 
ciple was right, yet urged so imprudently and blindly 
and to such extremity as to be wrong and harmful. 

Then there was a missionary from Scotland who 
nearly starved his family upon the theory that it is 
wrong to accept any support except what God fur- 
nishes on the held. And a Tondon lay-brother tried 
to carrj^ his light among the natives by working 
Avith them at their wages in the fields, but he had 
soon to be taken to the hospital. 

Sometimes under these added embarrassments, 
Llewellyn, Cleora and Margaret suffered almost a 
paralysis of faith. 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 


IN CONFLICT WITH ‘‘THE BOOMS.” 

VEX among the best of people, controlled by 


the best intentions, difficulties will sometimes 
arise. The points of view are different, and in this 
world the clearest vision is liable to a great variety 
of disturbing influences. Missionaries and the execu- 
tive officers of mission-societies are no exception. 
Indeed, separated by thousands of miles of sea 
and land, amid the greatest contrasts of society 
and climate, it would be expected that their clash- 
ings of judgment will be the more frequent. At least 
it is very absurdly unreasonable for any to withhold 
sympathy and cooperation from the cause of missions 
because of information that some executive officer or 
missionary has made a mistake or even committed 
a grievous wrong. 

During the larger part of 1874, the senior secretary 
of Mr. Litchfield’s society was absent upon a pros- 
pecting tour in Africa. On the junior secretary, there- 
fore, devolved, in this interval, the entire responsibility 
of foreign correspondence. Already burdened, he was 
unable to fully discharge the added duties. Many of 
the more lengthy letters from the missionaries could 



3G9 


370 


SELF-GIVING. 

receive oiily a Iiast}^ glance, and often liis replies had 
to be very brief, even to tlie appearance of harshness 
and want of syinpatliy. The usual tact in the man- 
agement of this department was not shown, and 
serious embarrassments multiplied in every direction. 

Upon the other liand, in India, the seasons were 
unusually trying. Particular!}^ in the vicinity of 
Agra there had been a great lack of rain, and an 
excess of heat, and dust, and malaria. The cares of 
tlie missionaries continued to multiply. i\Irs. Litcli- 
field’s children were requiring more of the mother’s 
time. Tlie eldest was very frail, and the fond parents 
felt that she was not to be long with them. The lielp 
they had received in the new missionary family had 
not been lielpful. And there had lately been an 
unusual number from among the converts wlio had 
fallen back either into their old heathen practices or 
into comparative indifference. 

Thus both the situations, in Boston and in Agra, 
furnished favorable conditions for clashings of judg- 
ment and unpleasant feelings. As between Margaret 
and her Society, though in part for other reasons, 
the relations were equally strained. 

Mr. Litchfield finally took the ground that Mr. 
Fowler must go. He could not longer endure cooper- 
ation with one who gave so little of his time to his 
legitimate work, and by his excessive and desultory 
correspondence created so much trouble at home. 
Secretary King simply replied that it was not con- 
sidered wise at the Rooms to make the change 
requested. The point-blank refusal, without a word 


IN CONFLICT WITH THE BOOMbN 


371 


of explanation, was very exasperating, or at least was 
allowed to be ; and it actually required all Mrs. Litch- 
field’s soothing and persuasive powers to keep her 
husband from forwarding his resignation. 

For nearly two j’ears now Mr. Litchfield had had 
every Sunday an extra preaching-service in Hindus- 
tani. The number of Moslems in regular attendance 
had increased from five to over fifty. Ten had given 
evidence of conversion, and two were receiving 
private instruction with view to the Gospel ministry. 
Surely, he thouglit, the time had come for his Society 
to enter vigorously upon the prosecution of evangeli- 
zation among the fifty millions of Mahometans in 
India. And he urged the Rooms to send at once a 
missionary to commence the study of Hindustani. 
But there was no answer at all to his application, and 
finally he threatened to communicate with another 
Society upon the subject. The threat also failed to 
receive any notice. 

Cleora wrote at length upon the situation, hoping, 
with the special influence she commanded with the 
executive officers as the trustees of her property, to 
secure favorable consideration for her husband’s pro- 
posals. Months passed without any reply, and then 
she was surprised to receive a letter from one of the 
members of the committee, a personal friend, cliiding 
her a little for having suspended correspondence so 
long. 

‘‘ It is an outrage for the secretary to suppress my 
letters ! Probably he has served yours the same way, 
Llewellyn!” 


372 


SELF-GIVING, 


I presume lie is all engrossed with wire-pulling 
for liis reelection at the next anniversary,” was her 
husband’s hasty and uncliaritable reply. 

‘‘Yes,” was Cleora’s equally peevish rejoinder; “he 
knows that as a matter of principle, we are not 
stirring up any trouble among the ministry and 
churches against him, so he thinks he need not give 
himself any worry in our direction.” 

In November a young lady missionary from their 
Society called at Agra on her way to Bareilly, to 
which station she was appointed. All were very 
favorably impressed with her intelligence, piety, 
amiability, and general capacity for effective work, 
and wanted her to remain with them. 

“ Unquestionably her duty is here,” wrote Cleora 
to the Rooms. “We must take the responsibility 
of detaining her from a place where her services 
are not one quarter as necessary, and where appeals 
for help, judged upon their own merits, cannot 
possibly have been as deserving as ours.” 

“ That is very sharp, wife,” observed Llewel]}ni 
upon the letter. “But’ you are right: applications 
are not always judged upon their merits, but to please 
some prominent minister or church, or to feather the 
nest of some high-salaried official. Fowler, with his 
blunderbus of hateful correspondence, can bag a great 
deal more game than you or I in the tangled jungles 
of secretaryship favor.” 

“ What insolence ! ” observed the secretary to his 
clerk, as he filed this letter among a hundred others 
received that day, and simply dictated a note to Miss 


IN CONFLICT WITH THE ItOOMSN 


873 


Rivington, reminding her that her salary did not 
begin until she had reached her own appointed field 
of labor in Bareilly. 

The following Monday morning there was no 
quorum of the executive committee until fifteen 
minutes before the usual time for adjournment. The 
secretary had more than a score of important matters 
to present, but there was no time, not even to correct 
any hasty judgments and plans he may liave formed 
amid his pressing and bewildering details of business. 

“ Brethren, cannot you give me an hour, or even 
half an hour extra to-day ? I do need your advice as 
to matters in India, and in France, and in South 
America.” 

‘‘Sorry; but I have to attend a wedding this 
hour,” replied a reverend doctor as he reached for 
his silk hat and began to brush it for departure. 

“ Very unfortunate, but my wife has invited some 
friends to dine with us this noon,” observed another 
as he glided out the door. ' 

“ It seems to me hardly necessary,” added another 
guardian of a great denomination’s world-wide mis- 
sion interests. “ Our secretaiy understands the situ- 
ation at every station much better than we can, and 
we have every confidence in him.” 

“ I fully endorse the last remark,” joined in a 
prominent lajunan, “ and it is quite time that we 
arrange the nominating committee for the next anni- 
vmrsaiy.” 

No more left the committee-room, and the moments 
slipped rapidly away until the clock struck one. 


374 


SELF-GIVING. 


But it was all arranged wlio slioiild write to whom, 
that everything should be understood, and especially 
that no such calamity miglit befall the cause as the 
failure of the junior secretary to secure a reelection. 

It is surely to be hoped that sucli trifling on the 
part of the executive officers of mission societies, with 
their vast res23onsibilities before God, is exce 2 )tional. 
Certain it is that upon inquiry tlie following day, the 
secretary of the American Foreign Mission Society 
learned that the committee meetings of that week for 
the other two great Societies, whose headquarters 
are in Boston, had been fully, promptly and faith- 
fully attended. All the members of the Prudential 
Committee of the American Board, and of the Ex- 
ecutive Committee of the Missiqnary Union, were 
in their places, profoundly conscious of their obli- 
gations, and determined that nothing should interfere 
with all necessary deliberations. 

Margaret’s conflict with her Society’s Rooms in ISfew 
York was as to the salaries to be 2 >aid her assistant 
Eurasian teachers and Bible-women, and as to whether 
she should credit the home treasury with the fees 
she received from time to time for doctoring wealthv 
natives. The women’ s Board felt that if the Eura- 
sians did the same work as a missionary, they should 
receive the same J3ay, while Margaret contended that 
this was unnecessary and unwise generosity with mis- 
sion-money, and that the salaries should be nearer 
what the same j^^rsons could earn in any other 
honest emplo\nnent in India. And as to the inci- 
dental earnings of her own medical jjractice, which was 


IN CONFLICT WITH “ THE BOOMSN 


375 


always subservient to the interests of the mission, slie 
claimed she should no more be asked to render 
account than the gentlemen-secretaries for the. moneys 
they received from time to time for supplying 
churches. 

The unhappy year had closed. The Agfa New 
Year’s greetings had been more of a mere formality 
than real sunshine. The conflict with the Rooms 
had seemed to cast a shadow over everything. The 
children noticed that their parents were different, 
and they played more by themselves. The native 
converts felt that they were not quite so free of access 
to the missionaries. There was a perceptible falling- 
off in the attendance at the chapel. At the schools 
the numbers did not increase. Never before had Mr. 
Litchfield appeared so haggard, nor Cleora so discour- 
aged ; and Margaret seemed to have grown five years 
older in this one }^ear of discord and estrangement. 

But one afternoon in February, the following let- 
ter arrived from the senior secretary, Doctor Hart- 
well : 

My very dear Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield: — 

On return a few days ago from my long absence in Africa, I 
learned of some misunderstanding between you and the Rooms. 
Witli earnest prayer for wisdom to help solve all difficulty, for the 
sake of all the precious interests concerned, I have read carefully 
all your letters, and reread them at a special meeting of the Com- 
mittee. I assure you the spirit of the brethren is all that you 
could desire, and while there remains difference of opinion, there 
is readiness, yes, anxiety to join you in finding the golden 
mean of Christ-like compromise. Jf we assign a missionary to 
your Moslem work, can you not drop some of your critical feel- 
ings toward Mr. and Mrs. Fowler, and, entering into more cordial 


376 


si:Lr-GivnvG. 


relations, make them of service to the mission? As it is not well 
to establish the precedent of one station stopping a missionary 
assigned to another, you had better allow Miss Kivington to go on 
to Bareilly, and if she requests in a few months to return to Agra, 
we will promise her permission. And though Miss Kilburne is not 
directly under our supervision, yet I beg through you to suggest 
that, in the same spirit of compromise, she consent to report her 
receipts to the treasury, with the understanding that she be 
allowed to arrange the scale of wages for all her assistants. 

Never was compliance with suggestions made more 
readily. This letter was the sunshine that pierced 
the clouds and drove them awa}^ In the presence of 
a spirit, so evidently the Divine Master’s own spirit, 
they felt it a blessed privilege to submit the measure 
of their own will requested. 


CHAPTER XXXVII. 


VACATIOi^ IN BURMAH AND SOUTHERN INDIA. 


S the cooler season advanced toward the close of 


1875, and the best working part of the year 
was at hand, it was with very great reluctance that 
Mr. Litchfield came to acknowledge the feeble state 
of his health. He bravely tried to persuade himself 
that his weakness and paleness and loss of appetite 
were only the temporary result of the exceptionally 
hot weather lately experienced, and with still greater 
heroism his wife endeavored in every way to lessen 
his loads and to look hopefully to the reviving effect 
of the coming months. 

But the need of a few weeks’ vacation before 
further work was inevitable, and upon only three 
days’ notice, Mr. Litchfield was off for a voyage 
across the Bay of Bengal to Burmah, and thence 
to Southern India. 

He was much more contented to leave his varied 
and great responsibilities temporarily than he 
could have been the previous year, for the new 
attitude of cordiality and confidence, and the generous 
division of labor had seemed to make a new man of 
Mr. Fowler. The former indolence had given place 



377 


378 


SELF-GIVING. 


to intense activity. Neai*ly all the unnecessary and 
iinpnident correspondence was dropped in the entim- 
siasni of tlie new consecration and interest. And 
tiiere [jroved to be a great deal of latent tact and 
effectiveness where it had been taken -for o-ranted 

O 

there were only stupidity and inefficiency. And 
besides, a }’oung brother Arlington and his wife had 
joined tlie station, and tilready made sufficient progress 
in Hind Listani to assume the entire responsibility of 
the work among the Mahometans. 

The three days at sea put so much new life into the 
almost worn-out missionary, that wdien he landed 
at Rangoon, he felt quite like himself again. 

I believe,” he wrote immediately to his wife, 
“ there is a great deal more of refreshment and life- 
lengthening power ill this Bay of Bengal for all 
the missionaries in Southern Asia, than many of them 
dream.” 

He was surprised to see Rangoon so much more 
beautifully situated than Calcutta, reminding him at 
once of New York harbor. Although as yet but a 
sixth the size of the City of Palaces,” the metro^Dolis 
of Burmali seemed certain to prove at no distant day 
a formidable commercial rival to the Indian capital. 
Wlien the railway already completed to Prome, shall 
have been extended to Bhamo, and tlience the vast 
resources of Southwestern China shall be drawn, 
he could see that the pride of the Irrawaddy 
would ere long challenge comparison with either 
Calcutta, Bomba}', or Madras. 

It was a privilege to meet the missionaries who 


VACATION IN BUEMAH. 


379 


were following in the footsteps of tlie immortal 
Jiulsoiis; to see how bravely those who were labor- 
ins: amoijo^ the Burmese were coiiteiKliiio' aoainst 
greater obstacles than those with Avliich he had 
become familiar, at least among the Hindus ; and 
to study those peculiarly interesting Karen tribes, 
among which the Gospel had received so cordial 
a greeting. 

While Mr. Litchfield lingered but a few moments 
at the great Shway-Dagon pagoda, admiring its mag- 
nificent proportions and watching the Buddhist 
phoungees making their idolatrous offerings, he spent 
several hours at the Karen Tlieoloerical Seminarv, de- 
lio'lited at the consecration there being made of Chris- 

^ O 


tian learning and industry. 

Upon tlie general subject of higher education under 
mission supervision, it was not encouraging to meet 
so great variety of opinion, and so much disinclination 
to hearty, effective cooperation. He had been accus- 
tomed to think of the mission work in Burmah as 
one, or at the least divided by only a little more than 
the race distinctions, the Burmese, Karen, and Shan 
departments. But every location seemed to be quite 
independently set up by itself. When IMr. Litchfield 
remembered his own experience as between his and 
the Bareilly stations, and the alienation which had 
existed up to only a few months before between Mr. 
Fowler and himself, he was restrained from feeling 
very censorious toward the missionaries in Burmah, 
yet he could not help wishing that tlie senior secre- 
tary of his own society could do a little correspond- 


380 


SELF^ GIVING. 


ing among them. The melting into more practically 
fraternal relations, which he and his associates in 
Northern India liad experienced, was what he came to 
pray for most earnestly in belialf of liis new acquaint- 
ances, before he re-crossed the Bay of Bengal. 

Nowhere had he been more strongly impressed than 
at Bassein, that differences in mission results are quite 
as likely to be accounted for by differences in the 
missionaries themselves, as the variations in home 
pastorates by the variations in the native talent and 
capacity of their ministry. Here he met a first-class 
man turning out first-class work. His wife also had 
marked engineering ability, and things moved. 
Every department of their station showed enterprise. 
While many others were thinking and writing about 
the special hardships of their fields, and praying above 
all for patience to wait upon God’s favor, here ^vere 
two throwing themselves with tremendous energy and 
singleness of aim into the work committed to their 
hands. Their zeal and success were not because God 
was more inclined to favor them than others, or 
because their field was less difficult ; but the rea- 
son was the same that would have brought them 
to the front at home ; it was in them. 

At Maulmain Mr. Litchfield had a delightful social 
time among the missionaries. He could not help 
it ; eleven women, and only three men to divert 
their sisterly attentions. He was perfectly satisfied 
as far as liis own enjoyment was concerned, but 
for the sake of the cause, he could not help wishing 
that three, at least, of these sisters were brothers, and 


VACATION IN BUBMAU. 


381 


then that half of all of them were in Upper Burmah. 
Umloubtedly the hands of all were fall of work ; but 
there are other questions involved in the highest wis- 
dom of mission enterprise. 

Everywhere he felt prompted to speak upon the 
subject of industrial departments in mission schools ; 
but nearly at every place, with the exception of Bas- 
sein, he failed to awaken any special enthusiasm. 
The missionaries to the Burmese were quite certain 
that they could not successfully inaugurate anything 
like his printing and shawl-making enterprises. 

“Well, start a laundry, then, in connection with 
your school.” 

“ Our girls would consider it beneath them.” 

“ Yet they accept much of their food and clothing 
from you.” 

“ Should we insist on self-support, many would be 
driven away to the government schools.” 

“ Perhaps that would be best for them and for you. 
A small school, on correct principles, is to b.e preferred 
to a large one fostering idleness, and pride, and a spirit 
of dependence upon others.” 

Mr. Litchfield spoke plainly, for he did feel that 
there was room in Burmah for some healthful re- 
trenchment, without lessening the number of mission- 
aries or their salaries. He had seen in' the reports 
that one of the lai’gest American denominations was 
spending one hundred and seventeen thousand 
dollars annually, nearly half of all it raised 
for foreign missions upon this one Burmah 
field, and was feeling unable to join in the general 


382 


SELF-GIVING. 


advance into Central Africa, or to have anythin of 
to do with evangelization among the great Moslem 
populations of Asia; and he felt as if he would like 
to take many of his new acquaintances back with him 
to Agra, to show them by accomplished facts, how 
much more practicable than tliey dreamed was the 
theory of self-support in all native schools. 

As Mr. Litchfield sailed for Madras, it was with 
grateful feelings that his lot was cast among Hindus 
instead of Buddhists. Evidently the worship of 
Vishnu and Siva had not so stupefied the spiritual 
sensibilities of the populations of India as had the 
hvpocrisj" of Siddhartha the sw^arming millions of 
Southeastern Asia. He had felt that there could be 
notliing more repelling than the obscenity of a Hindu 
temple, but he had learned his mistake in the pres- 
ence of the Buddhistic masquerade of the virtues. 
The heathenism of the valley of the Ganges knows 
nothinof of such extreme selfishness as flourishes 
along the banks of the Irrawaddy, the Menam, and 
the YancT-tse-kianG:. 

It was not that the missionary was unable to ap- 
preciate the magnificent remains of Dravidian archi- 
tecture ; not that he was unaware that he was now 
within easy reaching-distance of many wonderful Jaiiia 
temples; not that he had never heard of Taujore and 
Seriugham, and Chillambaram and Kamisseram, and 
Madura and Tarputry, that now the few remaining 
da}"s of vacation were spent almost entirely among 
the missionaries and their work ; but that he saw 
vastly more beauty and glory in the spiritual temples 


VACATION IN BUFAIAU. 


333 


tliat were beincr reared amonsf the Telu^us and 

O ^ O 

Tamils and IMalayalams and Canarese. 

Time permitted i\Ir. Litchfield only a single drive 
along two or three of the principal streets of Madras, 
to glance at Fort St. George whose guns range over 
the heads of a half-million of people, and to note 
the Herculean efforts that are being made to con- 
struct a harbor far out on this most unpromising 
Coromandel coast. One railway excursion took him 
to Calicut upon the IMalabar coast, and another to 
Bellary near the Toombudra River. 

He was convinced that the missionaries in Southern 
India labor in a much more depressing climate than 
that to whicli he was accustomed in Agra, but that 
on the other hand their populations are the more 
accessible to evaimelization. He thouGfht this was 
in large measure probably because they were more 
remote from those overpowering IMoslem influences 
which had spread throughout the North, and whose 
present effect is to strengthen the hostility of all 
against Christianitjn 

The serious discount to be made, according to l\rr. 
Litchfield’s judgment, in the great amount of educa- 
tional mission-work centriim in Madras, is the laro'e 
expense which the prevailing plans throw upon 
the home Christians in Scotland and Emrland. The 
mistake of Burmah seemed greatl}" emphasized here, 
but lie did not say much about it. He had found of 
late that no people are more sensitive to criticism 
than missionaries, probably because nearly all of 
their life and labor is unquestionably better than 


384 


SELF-GIVING. 


that aromul them, and they are brought so little into 
rubbing-contact with their equals. When the best 
and wisest of people do not get a chance more than 
once in many months or }'ears to be told that they 
are mistaken, they are apt to take criticism in very 
high dudgeon. 

On return to Calcutta, by a steamer direct from 
Liverpool, which touched at Madras, Mr. Litchfield 
was deeply moved by a passenger’s singing of the new 
lines, so full of the humility and candor that should 
adorn the lives of all Christ’s servants, at home and 
abroad, in mission fields and executive chairs, as well 
as in the ordinary walks of the ministry and laity : — 

The mistakes of my life have been many, 

The sins of my heart have been more. 

And I scarce can see for weeping, 

Blit I’ll knock at the open door. 

My mistakes His free grace will cover. 

My sins lie will wash away, 

And the feet that shrink and falter 
Shall walk through the gates of day. 

I know I am weak and sinful, 

It comes to me more and more — 


CHAPTER XXXVIII. 


THE PRIKCE OF WALES IN AGRA. 

T he year following, 1876-77, was made very 
memorable to the mission by a three days’ 
visit to the city from the heir of the British Crown. 
The imperial policy of Disraeli had included the proc- 
lamation of Queen Victoria as Empress of India, and 
a grand display of loyalty all over the vast penin- 
sula to Her Majesty as represented by her eldest son. 
This part of the programme may have been well 
enough, if only it could have satisfied the ambition of 
the wily Premier, and ‘there had been no effort to 
rectify;, Indian and South African boundaries and to 
foster the virtues of Turkey. 

Xone were more ready than the native Christians to 
contribute to the cordiality and magnificence of tlie 
greetings extended to the Prince. They vied with 
even the British soldiers and civilians in the erect- 
ing and ornamenting of arches, in the clearing and 
beautifying of the grounds which were to be occupied 
by the royal encampment, and in cheering the repre- 
sentative of that Great Power which rules in justice 
and protects all. 

On the other hand, it was very evident that the 

385 


386 


SELF-GIVING, 


loyalty of the native Christian population was appre- 
ciated. English statesmen have learned well the les- 
son of 1857. ■ Previously, the missionary and his 
adherents were at the best merely tolerated. They 
were generally considered as dangerous elements in 
society furnishing occasions for popular outbreaks, and 
vastly increasing the difficulty of ruling so many sub- 
ject millions. But during that dreadful mutiny, not 
one native Christian proved a traitor. The mission- 
aries and their converts were always found loyal to 
the government, which had done everything possible 
to suppress them and drive them away, yet whose 
tyranny was more merciful than the cruel native 
• rule. As a military necessity now, if for no higher 
motive, missions in India receive* cordial, official rec- 
ognition upon all suitable occasions. 

One afternoon of those preparatory weeks, as Mr. 
Litchfield was in the bazaar purchasing some bunting 
with which to suitably decorate the mission-buildings, 
he overheard his Sunday-school superintendent in 
earnest conversation with a Hindu merchant and a 
prominent Moslem bankei>i' 

“ The Prince of the monkeys is bringing us good 
business these days,” observed the Hindu, ‘‘ and that 
is all I care about the coming durbar.” 

“Why do you call the English monkeys?” in- 
quired the native Christian. 

“You know they have captured our country by 
tricks, cunningly imposing upon our noble ancestors 
by their grinning sophistries and ready money, and 
that now with costly presents and flattering promises 


THE PBINCE OF WALES IN AGFA. 


387 


they are inducmg our maharajahs and rajahs and 
zemindars and nabobs to make a great parade of 
lojuilty.’ ’ 

“ Allah Akbar ! — ^ God is great ! ” responded the 
Moslem. ‘‘ Soon the great Allah will drive these rob- 
bers out of the land. They asked for a little ground 
for trade and factories, and they have taken all. 
They stirred up wars among our people, and for 
money and favors received pay in land, till now they 
have the whole country in their greedy, wicked grasp. 
But the prayers of the faitliful will yet be heard, and 
there shall be an end of all this falsehood and treach- 
erv and crime.” 

. 

‘‘ If you will think, my friends,” calmly replied the 
native Christian to these excited haters of the rule 
and the religion of the English, “you will agree with 
me that India is much better off at present than for 
many centuries past. In remote ages our ancestors 
were indeed a great people in intelligence and influ- 
ence; they spoke the beautiful Sanscrit language; 
they built magnificent temples and cities. We were 
much farther in advance of Europe than Europe is 
to-day in advance of us. But all thoughts of the true 
God gave place to grovelling idolatries and immoral- 
ities, and we fell into centuries of constant wars 
against others and among ourselves. Formerly the 
most educated, we became the most ignorant popu- 
lation of Asia. Justice became unknown, while 
robbers filled the land. The spirit of the jungle- 
tigers came forth and took possession of all our Hindu 
and Moslem rulers, and the people for centuries were 


388 


SELF-GIVING. 


thought fit only for food or to be mangled for the 
pleasure of the brutal monsters. Is" not all tins 
true. Baboo Dasara? You cannot deny it, Abdool 
Mejid. 

You are silent, and confess by your silence. 
And you know that now under the English, and be- 
cause of the English and England’s God, tve have 
peace and plenty and justice. When any native is in 
trouble, he is specially anxious to be brought before 
an English judge. Who have established our schools 
all over the land, and constructed our roads, and 
canals, and railways, and built our numerous hospi- 
tals ? Who keep your Hindus and Mahometans from 
fighting each other? Who make it safe for me to be- 
come a Christian, or to return to heathenism, as I 
choose ? ” 

‘‘ O, you have sold yourself out to the foreign ras- 
cals,” exclaimed Abdool ilejid, unable longer silently 
to submit to the force of the truth. ‘‘I suppose they 
gave a thousand rupees for you, for you are very 
tonguey.” 

“ No, sahib ; I have not been bought, except by the 
blood of Christ, which cleanseth from sin. Be- 
sides, those with whom I associate the most inti- 
mately, are not English but American missionaries.” 
Anyway,” insisted Baboo Dasara, ‘‘ tliey get their 
pay all the same from government for every convert. 
Probably your missionary pocketed a round five 
hundred rupees when 3^011 became false to your an- 
cestors, their customs and teachings.” 

Ram Chandar Bash turned without further reply 


THE PRINCE OF WALES IN AGRA. 


389 


to charges so utterly groundless, and busied him- 
self in the purchase of two little British flags to 
put up over both ends of his humble home, while 
Mr. Litchfield, delighted at hearing these echoes 
of his own instructions, carefully avoiding obser- 
vation, caught up his own decorating materials and 
hastened home, to prepare the mission buildings 
for the morrow’s public welcome to the Prince of 
Wales. 

. The durbar was indeed a grand affair. In the 
large, open grounds was pitched a village of gayly 
decorated tents, that of the Prince occupjdng the place 
of lionor. On a raised throne covered with scarlet 
and gold he sat, receiving the homage of scores 
of India’s nobility, many of whom had come long 
distances upon their richly caparisoned elephants, 
and accompanied by numerous attendants. There 
was everything present that could add to the Ori- 
ental splendor of the scene. 

Yet his Royal Highness did not seem to take 
any special interest in all the pompous pageantry, 
except at the obedient kneeling of the stately ele- 
phants — he had already seen so much of it at other 
places in India ; and then he knew that all tiiese 
bowing and smiling grandees expected to be fully 
paid by the presents from the Crown that had 
already been labeled for them. But finally appeared 
a procession of the missionaries and several hun- 
dred native Christians, singing as they advanced, 
“ God save the Queen.” 

This touched the heart of the Prince. He knew 


390 


8ELF-G1V1NG. 


it was genuine loyalty, even on the part of the 
Americans. He was confident it could be relied 
upon in any coming times of trouble, while many 
of these fawning courtiers had doubtless nineteen 
years before thrown all their influence on the side 
of the rebellious Sepoys. Some of them probably 
had been guilty of the most frightful atrocities, 
participating even in the horrors of Cawnpore, and 
nearly all of them unquestionably would seize with 
ferocious eagerness the first opportunity to destroy 
British power in India. 

Not only were the missionaries treated as court- 
eously as if they had been rajahs, but it was very 
evident to all the brilliant assembly, that toward 
them and their adherents the Prince was specially cor- 
dial. For nearly half an hour His Highness conversed 
with Mr. Litchfield upon the social condition and 
various industries of the people, and especially of 
the village populations. He put some leading ques- 
tions, which were frankly answered, while the 
amazed Indian nobility listened with occasional 
manifestations of approval. 

‘‘ As an American, Mr. Litchfield,” said the 
Prince, “ we recognize you as a friend of Great 
Britain and of her Indian Empire. What do you 
think are the most important things which the 
English can do for this land ? ” 

‘‘ As a Christian people, to strengthen and multiply 
their mission enterprises here, while the government 
should prohibit the opium -culture and the trade in 
alcoholic liquors except for medicinal purposes.” 


THE PBINCE OF WALES IN AGRA, 


391 


“But if the government should- lose its opium-rev- 
enue, the taxes upon the people would have to be 
increased to meet the deficiency, and the English 
should seek the rather to lessen their burdens.” 

“ The cultivation of the poppy, your Highness, 
takes vast quantities of the best land in India, every 
acre of which would otherwise be productive of the' 
staple grains on which the people live. Let the 
twenty per cent, more of food which the poppy- 
fields could furnish, be distributed throughout India, 
and the costly periodic famines would be avoided, 
and the people would be better able to endure any 
additional direct taxation that government considered 
necessary.” 

“ As to the trade in alcoholic liquors, it would be 
inconsistent not to allow the same freedom here as in 
England, even as in your America.” 

“ But, your Highness, intoxicating drink is much * 
more harmful to Indian than to Anglo-Saxon consti- 
tution, and to any who live in this climate, than to 
those in the vigorous, bracing latitude of Great Brit- 
ain. The Hindu can endure more fire from tlie sun 
than we can, but not so much from the still and the 
brewery.” 

“ I shall take occasion on the morrow to visit your 
mission-premises, having heard particularly of your 
industrial departments in the interest of self-sup- 
port.” 

And he came : and they were ready for him. He 
sat for a few moments as any other gentleman in tlie 
mission-dwelling, then went to the school where 


39 


SELF-GIVING, 


everything moved on as usual, then through the 
publisliing liouse and sliawl-manufactory and the 
liospital, and after a few moments’ delay upon the 
grounds, he was finally conducted to the chapel, where 
tlie native Christians had themselves arranged a 
special greeting. 

The ‘pulpit platform was covered with flowers, and 
upon it a throne was raised for the Prince, not expen- 
sive, with gold and drapery, but showing loyal, - 
painstaking effort with humble materials. 

All arose as he entered, and remained standing 
wliile he seated himself in the throne. 

Then Baboo Khiyali, the late prominent convert, 
advanced, and kneeling before the Prince, presented 
him a cop}" of the Bible in Hindi ; and immediately 
after, Huchi, the rescued nautch-girl, stepped for- 
ward, and kneeling also, laid one of their own 
' Indian shawls at his feet. 

Graciously the Prince received the gifts, replying: 

“I will take this shawl to the Princess of Wales, 
and the Bible to my mother, the Queen and Empress. 
This book is the foundation of England’s greatness, 
and it must be the foundation of all future greatness 
to India.” 

A check on London for two hundred pounds, to be 
used for the general interests of the mission, came 
from the royal guest to Mr. Litchfield the following 
morning, and the last day of the great event of the 
century in Agra. 

All this social recognition by the highest authority 
was very helpful to the mission. But there were 


THE PRINCE OF TVALES IN AGRA. ' 


393 


influences of another character exerted durincf the 

O 

ro}^al visit, which went far toward counteracting all 
the good impression that had been made. 

Several of the accompanying English officials at once 
joined with three shameless fellow-countrymen, resi- 
dents of Agra, ill arranging for themselves a most 
disreputable nautch entertainment, and then in 
taking the utmost liberties with the dancers. 

Eagerly the natives caught up this evidence of the 
immorality of the English Court, and of the hypocrisy 
of Christians. The native press ridiculed the ex- 
cessive interest which had been taken, on the one 
hand in the missionaries and on the other in the 
nautch-girls. And pictures were printed and widely 
circulated, representing the visitors as drunk and 
lost to all shame. 

And indeed there had been an astonishing amount 
of intemperance. Wine, and brandy, and whiskey 
flowed like water. Hundreds of broken bottles 
marked the departed encampment. 

One of the officers and an Agra English merchant, 
riding together on an elephant around through the 
citv, became so intoxicated that thev fell off, and the 
civilian, especially, was seriously injured. 

As the accident occurred in front of the mission 
premises, the wounded men were carried immediately 
into Miss Kilburne’s hospital. The Prince’s surgeon 
at once attended them there, but the following day 
they had to be left in the care of tlie English resident 
physician and of the missionary lady. 

The officer was able in a few days to follow the 


394 


SELF-GIVING, 


royal part}^ to Calcutta, but the merchant could not 
be moved to his own bungalow for several weeks. 

Miriam, the Eurasian assistant in the girls’ school 
whom Margaret had saved from suicide in the- Jumna, 
had attended him a little at first, and afterwards, 
during the most critical days of his case, no one, 
he insisted, would answer but her. 

Indeed, when Mr. Lindsey had become convales- 
cent, he felt that he owed his life to the nursing of 
Miriam ; and probably he was right. 

A noble man by nature, successful in business, few 
had stood higher than Mr. Lindsey in the foreign 
community. But he had been his own worst enemy, 
and his bad habits had lost him many friends. 

“ Miriam,” said he, as he was leaving the hospital 
for his beautiful, richly-furnished bungalow, “ Miriam, 
I am going to a very lonely home, I wish you were to 
be with me there.” 

“ I think, sir, you are well enough now not to need 
any more nursing. If you fall off of an elephant again, 
come here, and I shall be glad to take care of you.” 
“ Miriam, I need you now for all my life. Will you 
not become Mrs. Lindsey? ” 

“ You forget that I am a Eurasian, and that marriage 
with me would be a great social disgrace for you.” 
Not so great a disgrace as my own life has been.” 
‘‘ Will you sign the pledge of total abstinence ? ” 

“ Yes, and keep it too — God help me ! ” 

‘‘ Wait one }'ear, Mr. Lindsey; I will pray daily that 
3^011 may Imve strengtii. When you have conquered 
yourself, it will be easy for you to conquer me.” 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 


THE TAJ AND THE MISSION GRAVE. 

L ittle did Shah Jehan dream when he built 
the magnificent • Agra Mausoleum for Noor- 
Jehan/orfor Mumtaz-i-Mehal, and inscribed upon its 
tomb the prayer of the Koran : Defend us from un- 

believers/’ that two centuries and a quarter later it 
would be a great help to Christian missionaries in un- 
doing the work of Moslem fanaticism and Hindu 
superstition. For rest to the weary toilers, there was 
no place in that city or neighborhood to compare with 
the cool, light-softened and generally quiet central 
chamber of beautiful building, or with the adjoining 
cj^press and evergreen garden, its foliage interlaced 
by marble canals and studded with fountains and 
veiling in .every direction the most charming archi- 
tectural creations. 

Many a time the missionaries strolled hitherward, 
all tired out in body, mind, and heart, their brows 
wrinkled with perplexities, their whole horizon dark 
with shadows, and God spoke to them through the 
Taj, ‘‘It is I, be not afraid ; ” and leaving their weari- 
ness, and perplexities, and shadows behind, they 
returned to superintend the erection of the more 

395 


396 


SELF-GIVING. 


glorious buildings of immortal character, monuments 
to — 


Love divine, all love excelling; 

not cold as marble and inlaid with precious stones, 
but warm with the light and life of Heaven, and 
adorned witli beauties art cannot reproduce nor the 
language of earth describe. 

It was a Saturday afternoon. The toilful, wearing 
week was nearly over, and yet the morrow was to 
bring its special labors and cares. Margaret came 
over, suggesting — 

“ May we not all go to the Taj for an hour, to rest 
upon its pillars and to hear its songs ? ” 

“ Yes,” said Cleora, and may we not take the 
children also, Llewelljui?” 

He was going to say, no. But when he noticed 
how unusually pale his eldest looked that day, how 
large her eyes and how languid her bearing, he 
replied : 

“ The darlinofs need such chancre as much as our- 
selves. They carry our loads much more than we 
think, as well as their own. Say, daughter, why are 
you looking so tired to-day?” 

O, papa, I feel so sorry for you and mamma, be- 
cause you work so hard, and the people will not love 
Jesus, and the converts are so naughty, and you have 
such awful letters to read, and I have been singing 
to-day for auntie Margaret’s sick folks, and Banerjea 
is so blind he wanted me to read to him, and Nand 


THE TAJ AND THE MISSION GRA VE. 


397 


Ram’s wife is ill and I carried her some flowers, and 
Benshoff asked me to tell him what I knew about 
Jesus, and it seems to me there was something else — 

I forget ; and, O yes, mamma, I did not sleep much 
last night; I was dreaming all the while of the angels 
coming for me ” — 

They will come for 5^11, darling, if we do not get 
some rest for you also,” exclaimed the half-choking 
fatlier as he snatclied her up in his arms, and, putting 
on his hat and hers, started for the door. 

‘‘Let her walk, papa,” called Cleora from behind, 
following with Margaret and the little toddlers ; “ bet- 
ter for her and you.” 

But he held her there, her breast close to his ear. 

“ Take a long breath, my darling.” 

“ It hurts me so, papa.” 

Crossing tlie great gateway of* the garden court, 
all but Mr. Litclifield soon seemed as if in another 
world. The babes were chasing the goldfish around 
the fountains ; the cliild Cleora was watching the 
birds among the evergreens, and Margaret had 
thrown herself upon the grass at the foot of a vener- 
able cypress', saying she would watch the bairns while 
the parents strolled on as they desired, into the Taj. 

They had reached the marble platform, when Cleora 
observed : 

“ How much that lofty dome has to tell since it 
first looked upon its builder in the pavilions of yon- 
der p alatial harem ! ” 

“ Yes ; but it will have a more thrilling story yet to 
tell, not of Mogul and English conquests, but of the* 


398 


SELF-GIVING. 


complete triumphs of Christian missions over these 
swarming Hindu and Moslem millions.” 

“ If it can see around the world, Llewellyn, when 
that glorious time shall come, it will see also our 
home-ministry and churches fully interested in the 
cause of foreign missions.” 

‘‘ I am not so sure of that, Cleora. History sug- 
gests another possibility. And I should not wonder 
if the dome of this Taj shall see foreign missionaries 
sent from India to convert heathen Americans and 
Englishmen.” 

“ It seems to me,” she suggested as they moved on, 
glancing around, “ that the Taj itself is made doubly 
beautiful by its architectural surroundings. Take 
away those minarets of such exquisite proportions, 
and that mosque and the gate, and half the charm 
would be gone.” 

‘‘ Yes ; and it will doubtless be so with our life when 
it is completed. Half the beauty of God’s work with 
us is in our surroundings. But ah, some of those sur- 
roundings seem greatly to disfigure and to mar the 
effect until the scaffolding is down.” 

‘‘ Have you noticed, Llewellyn, that there is a stud- 
ied progress in the characteristic ornamentation from 
the gate to the sepulchres, at first a careful refrain, 
until at last all possible wealth of the Mogul or Italian 
inlaying art, in the most graceful designs of combined 
wreaths, and scrolls, and frets, is poured upon the 
tombs ? ” 

“It is almost matchless art ; of its kind equal even 
to the intellectual adornments of Greek architecture. 


THE TAJ AND THE MISSION GBAVE. 


399 


And doubtless with equal skill the Divine Architect 
is apportioning the events which are to inlay our lives 
to the end. We say there might be more ornament 
now, as just here upon the wall of this portal — more 
agates and jaspers, more smiles and satisfactions. 
But it is beyond where the lavish decoration is needed. 
Ah, how hard for us to consent to perfect taste and 
skill, to the Master’s subordination of beauty, the 
portal to the temple, the here to the hereafter ! ” 

They were in the centre, beneath the dome, inside 
the elegant screen of white marble trellis-work, stand- 
ing between the tombs of the Mogul emperor and 
empress. 

‘‘ Sit down, Cleora ; you know it will not be dese- 
cration, for the bodies are really in other sepulchres 
in the vault below.” 

In silence she traced the exquisite designs of in- 
laid work and the blendings of color upon the pure 
white marble, while he was sadly thinking of what 
he had listened to in the breast of his child. 

Soon the little feet of that daughter were heard 
tripping along the marble pavement. She did not 
see her parents, hid by the trellis-work, and thought 
she was all alone. Well she knew of the wonder- 
ful echo, having often played with it, and she 
began singing in Hindi, with which she was more 

familiar than with English, making a pause between 
each line to hear the angels answer,” — 

I want to be an angel, 

— be an angel, 


400 


SELF-GIVING. 


And with tlie angels stand ; 

— awgels stand ; 

A crow'n upon my forehead, 

— on my forehead, 

A harp within my hand, 

— in my hand. 

And as she sped away, she added — 

Pretty angels up there, I throw you kisses, 

— throw you kisses. 

Give me kiss for mamma, 

— kiss for mamma. 

And for papa too, 

« 

— for papa too. 

‘‘ Darling, our first-born will be ripe for Heaven 
soon,” said Llewellyn, breaking the silence which 
followed the last pattering of the feet and the last 
echo of the echoes. 

‘‘We will take her home next year, and then 
she will become better and strong.” 

“ She will reach home sooner than we can reach 
America.” 

“ O, what do you mean, Llewellyn ? ” 

And he told her that both- lungs were almost 
gone, that he had only just discovered it, and that 
should they start for home immediately, they would 
have to bury her at sea. 

“Why,” sobbed Cleora, “why have we been so • 
blind to it? Why did not Margaret see it?” 

“ The real disease has probably been only for a 
few days ; and she has always appeared so frail ; 


THE TAJ AND THE MISSION GEA VE. 


401 


and then the attention of all three of ns has been 
unusually absorbed of late in mission-work.” 

“ Dark — dark it will be to have to part with 
our angel ! ” 

“ Look up yonder, Cleora, where her echoing sis- 
ters are. You see where the light comes tlirougli 
the white marble trellis-screens? You know they 
are double ; one there for this inner wall, and another 
corresponding for the outside wall. That arrange- 
ment in any other climate than this would leave 
us here in almost total darkness ; but with white 
marble everywhere, and the glaring Indian sun, we 
have* light enough ; and open windows there we 
could not endure.” 

‘‘ I ask not for open windows, but only that God 
will not close up the trellis-screens also.” 

He will not, Cleora. He will give us all the 
light that we can endure. Trials, afSictions, bereave- 
ments , he is only tempering the glare of the light 
of his presence and love, that while we have earthly 
eyes it may be tolerable.” 

Again there were voices. 

“ Come, auntie Margaret, let us go in and hear 
•the angels. Now be still, Juddie, Maggie.” 

Angels! Angels! 

— Angels! Angels! 

Ha! lia! We’ve come. 

— Ha! ha! We’ve come. 


That moment little Cleora sank upon the pave- 


402 


SELF-GIVING. 


meiit without a sound. Margaret rushed forward, 
and at the same instant the parents flew from 
behind the trellis through which they had been 
watching and listening. 

Blood was flowing from the mouth, and death 
was marked upon the face. Everything that could 
be done was done, that only those eyes once more 
might know them and those lips speak another 
word. 

Unconsciously the tiny, slender form rested in 
the mother’s arms. The father had brought water, 
and was bathing the marble brow. Margaret was 
gone for other restoratives. . ^ 

Presently the eyes opened, and with a smile of 
recognition. And then in a few moments there 
came a flash of strength and vigor, as if she were 
herself again, and with voice that brought back 
distinctly the wonderful echoes of the overhanging 
dome, she exclaimed — 

O, mamma, papa, they be truly angels now! 

— truly angels now! 

Mamma, they all look beautiful as you, 

— beautiful as you. 

They’ll take me right to Jesus’ arms, 

— to J esus’ arms. 

And you will both come soon, 

— both come soon. 

Singing! 

— Singing! 

Angels of Jesus! 

— Angels of Jesus! 

o 


THE TAJ AND THE MISSION GBAVE, 


403 


And without another word for the tearful, eager 
parents to hear, or for the dome of the Taj to 
echo, the “ truly angels ” had come, and doubt- 
less with song had carried the child-missionary 
from her mother’s arms to the arms of Him who 
hath said, “ Suffer little children, and forbid them 
not, to come iinto me; for of such is the King- 
dom of Heaven.” 

In two daj^s a few feet of ground were bought 
and fenced off next to the Taj-enclosure upon 
the east, and there was a little mound, so little 
beside the great Mausoleum ; but the one is hon- 
ored in Heaven, while the other is honored only 
on earth. 


CHAPTER XL. 


NECESSITY AND PREPARATIONS EOR RETURN HOME. 


ONE know how much God can enable them 


to endure, until they have passed through 
the fire. 

The missionaries thought they had reached their 
utmost limit of endurance before the bereavement, and 
surely now, with the vacant chair, the little grave ; but 
they were to learn their mistake. 

All work seemed harder under the heart-load, the 
days longer, the weariness greater every night. 

“I do not know what makes me so tired, Llew- 
ellyn. No more steps to-day than usual. But few 
more cares. And I think I am perfectly well.” 

“ Mountains we are carrying, Cleora ; and when we 
thouglit a straw more would crush us to the ground, 
God added a heavier mountain still.” 

“ But the grace he gives is not sufficient.” 

“ O, yes, indeed, to bear up under the load, though 
not to make us insensible to its presence. It is kind 
in him to leave us ability to measure his grace.” 

The previous winter Mr. Litchfield had promised in 
another year a course of lectures upon the Evidences 
of Christianity, to an Agra association of learned 



404 


PREPARATIONS FOR RETURN HOME. 


405 


Hindus. It was in the highest degree important that 
there should be no failure in meeting this engage- 
ment, as the opportunity was quite unprecedented in 
that locality. But the extra work brought on sleep- 
less nights ; food lost its relish, and it became evi- 
dent, at least each to the other, tliat Mr. and Mrs. 
Litchfield were rapidly breaking down. 

Duringthese months, and indeed now for more than 
a year, there had been no marked ingathering of con- 
verts. A few had professed conversion, but scarcely 
more than the number which had been excluded, so 
tliat the statistics reported home were not specially 
encouraging. 

‘‘We are having glorious times over on the other 
side of the city. Our wor'k is carrying everything be- 
fore it,” said a calling brother missionary one evening, 
who came to arrange for the transfer of membership 
of several of Mr. Litchfield’s flock to his own • fold, 
where, they had been persuaded by the superficial 
appearance, there was^ more real spirituality and 
evangelizing enterprise. 

“We rejoice with you. Brother Nelson, and hope 
that all your accessions will prove elements of strength 
and prosperity.” 

“There is no danger; I wish you could have heard 
the experiences of the two hundred we received last 
month. So tearful ; so enthusiastic ; evidently the 
work of the Spirit. And you might enjoy such a 
Pentecost here, if you would stop your lecturing to 
aristocratic Hindus, and shut up your theological 
seminary, and get off your hobby of self-support for 


406 




SELF-GIVING, 


• '•P* 


native schools and churches, and keep from having 
so many irons in the fire, and with Paul’s singleness 
of purpose do this one thing — convert heathen. 
But I must go. Please have those letters ready be- 
fore Sunday; I think they will make an even five 
hundred of new members to be admitted to our com- 
munion. What a shaking of dry bones there will be 
among our English churches when they hear the 
glorious news I ” 

Nevertheless, Cleora,” said her husband, after 
the statistically successful missionary had departed, 
‘‘I think we are workiim riopt, and that the wisdom 
of God is leading us. But such comparative results 
cast shadows — dark shadows, when we think of the 
prevailing estimate at home of missionary success. 
There is the post-boy ! ” 

“ Only a paper, the Neiv York Reflector,^ with a 
marked editorial article on Dissipation of Missionary 
Effectiveness.” 

‘‘ Tljat means us, Cleora. Read it, please.” 

It was severe and depressing. Though neither 
Agra nor the Litchfields were mentioned by name, 
the editor had evidently seen their statistics, and 
concluded that the multiplicity of the station’s depart- 
ments was interfering with success. IMany in Amer- 
ica would know the reference. 

Returning on a Sunday morning from the general 
service at the chapel, it was found that robbers had 
gone through the house, making off with everything 
of portable value. The bureau drawers and the 
tranks had been ransacked. Cleora’s watch was 


PREPARATIONS FOR RETURN HOME. 


407 


gone, and a roll of twenty Bank of England five- 
pound notes. The former, redeemed since its cruel 
sacrifice, was especially treasured as a token of the 
old, unbroken home in Bottoii ; and the latter had 
been the careful savings of years, to pay the expense 
of a brief Palestine tour, on the way for the home 
vacation. It had been lent, and lately returned,- and 
perhaps should have gone immediately into a bank ; 
but one Agra bank had recently failed, witli three 
thousand dollars of the station’s money on deposit, 
and only offered twenty per cent, in settlement. 

‘‘We shall not miss seeing the Holy Land, Llew- 
ellyn. I will draw upon my own funds in Boston,” 

“ Yet we shall miss the pleasure of a tour paid out 
of our own earnings and savings, and the satisfaction 
of showing other missionaries that with economy and 
good management this gratification is within reach of 
them all.” 

About the time of their daughter’s death, a gift of 
money came from a church in Rhode Island, dis- 
tinctly specified as for a complete bandy for the 
use of the missionaries in jungle-touring. The cart 
was bought, fitted with English springs, covered and 
furnished very comfortably. A pair of well-trained 
trotting oxen was added, and the much needed estab- 
lishment was complete. But Avhen the executive 
officers at the Rooms heard of this specific donation, 
one of them at least was very indignant, and Mr. 
Litchfield was notified that the amount would be 
deducted from the annual appropriation for the 
incidental expenses of the Agra-Mission. 


408 


SELF-GIVING. 


I would tell that church all about it, Llewellyn ! ” 
‘‘No, Cleora ; that would do more harm than good. 
The Rooms have their closets and skeletons, and it is 
our duty to help keep the doors shut, and the un- 
sightly unseen.” 

“ But it is so hard to be treated so meanly ! ” 

“ They do not intend it so. It is only anxiety 
to guard the interests of the general treasury.” 

“ But Secretary King charges you with inconsist- 
ency.” 

“ I will remind him that while I have declined to 
be the occasion of any diverting of regular benevo- 
lences, I have insisted that individuals and churches 
had the right to present incidental tokens of regard 
to the missionaries. And I did not purchase that 
bandy until I saw that that Rhode Island church was 
reported as even exceeding its regular annual con- 
tribution.” 

Ever since IMr. Litchfield began his jungle work 
among the outlying villages, he had used elephants 
to some extent. They could tear so easily through 
the tall, dense undergrowth of rank vegetation. In 
several portions of his district, which were infested 
with tigers, the elephants made it also much more 
safe for travellers. On these tours he usually took 
along his gun ; and occasionally he used it very 
effectively, for he was a good shot. Once he killed 
a lioness, and brought her two cubs to the station. 
And sometimes, when his native driver had difficulty 
wiih the elephant they were riding, and even upon 
other occasions, for the mere sport of it, he would 


FREPABATIONS FOR RETURN HOME. 


409 


himself take the huge animal in hand, and thus had 
secured quite a local reputation as a master of ele- 
phants, as well as a successful hunter. 

Now all this was very natural and not at all to be 
censured, except that occasionally Mr. Litchfield was 
tempted to kill a pretty bird. Yet even this he did 
for the purpose of furnishing beautiful feathers for the 
ladies’ hats. But it was enough for the tongue 
of slander which works in India as well as America, 
and sometimes in the mouths of missionaries and 
ministers as well as among the laity and the world. 

Somebody in Delhi said : Those Agra mission- 

aries must be very worldly people.” 

Somebody in Allahabad said : ‘‘ If Mr. Litchfield 
must give all his time to elephant and tiger sport, 
and to keeping a menagerie on the mission premises, 
he better resign and hire out as agent of a zoological 
garden.” 

And then somebody in Calcutta said that some- 
body in Agra had said that Mrs. Litchfield and 
M iss Kilburne were so excessively vain, that they 
each had two new bonnets every season, and to 
furnish them with pretty feathers, kept Mr. Litchfield 
h»nting in the jungle ne-arly all the time.” 

And worse still, the good senior secretary had 
written this winter from the Rooms, that he was 
sorry to report that it was very generally rumored at 
home that the formerly esteemed and trusted senior 
Agra missionaries had been tempted aside from their 
legitimate work, and had gone extensively into the 
business of furnishing animals for the London Zoblog- 


410 


SELF-GIVING. 


ical Gardens, and ornamental feathers for a leadinof 
millinery establishment in Paris. He added that it 
had been decided to immediately reinforce the station 
\Vith two missionary families, including a male phy- 
sician. 

“Well, Cleora, is not that wonderful? ” 

“ Yes ; wonderful slander and wonderful cre- 
dulit3^” 

“ No, I mean wonderful overruling of God ; over- 
ruling this miserable slander for the reinforcement of 
our station. For years we have pleaded for this help. 
I have written quires of paper to the Pooms explain- 
ing the necessity. And now, after more than nine 
years, it has appeared impossible to take the vacation 
on which our very life seems to depend, because there 
are none to step into our places, and we can get 
no promise of any. But here it is, and they are 
coming. O, Cleora, thank God, they are coming, 
and because of this wretched slander — no, because 
truh’’ God has made the wrath of man to praise him.” 
“But, Llewellyn, it is j)ainful to be so humbled;' 
humbled in our reputation, humbled in having all 
our labor and requests set aside as nothing in regard 
to the reinforcement. And now they are coming to 
save the cause from our supposed worldliness ! ” 

“ I really do not care about all that, Cleora. I am 
so glad help is at hand, and your life may now be 
spared to the babies and to me, and we all to the 
cause. Come, now, no tears of vexation or wounded 
pride. ‘ Neither is he that planteth aii}^ thing, neither 
he that watereth.’ Sing, darling — 


PREPARATIONS FOR RETURN HOME. 


411 


Oh, to be nothing, nothing, 

Only to lie at his feet, 

A broken and emptied vessel. 

For the Master’s use made meet. 

Emptied, that He might fill me 
- As forth to His service I go; 

Broken, that so unhindered. 

His life through me might flow. 

Hitherto they had stood well in the English 
society of Agra, but since the death of their daughter 
there had been a marked change in the cordiality 
and attentions thev received. Before that bereave- 
ment, cards at least were exchanged with all the fam- 
ilies of the highest in the civil and military services, 
as also with those of the leadino; merchants. While 
the missionaries found it impossible to accept a tenth 
of the invitations extended them to parties of vari- 
ous kinds, having neither time to go nor time for 
preparations, they invariably had the pleasure of 
declining. 

But all this winter tliey had been left en- 
tirely alone. There had been no calls,- no invita- 
tions. What could it mean ? If they had murdered 
their child, they could not have been more avoided 
by the social life of Agra. And Miss Kilburne also 
was out ill the cold. 

‘‘ I have the secret,” announced the latter one 
evening, as she seated herself upon the mission- 
veranda. 

‘‘What?” asked Cleora. “Secret that we are 
nobodies in Agra society, after these years of ac- 
knowledged respectability ? ” 


412 


SELF-GIVING. 


^‘Yes; i\Iiriiim overlieard IMrs. jMedley speaking to 
Mrs. Chown about it. It is because we have not 
dressed in mourning over the death of little Cleora.” 

I supposed we would be criticized for the neg- 
lect, but in a few hours after the blow I could not 
feel like making a great display of grief over the 
safe escape of my darling from this world of sin, from • 
India’s heathenism, and from her own weaknesses 
and pains, to the beautiful home of Jesus and the 
angels above.” 

‘‘ To cover ourselves with black crape, when our 
dear ones are robed in white and singing with 
the redeemed in Heaven, does seem inconsistent.” 

‘‘ Then you know, Margaret, as we missionaries 
have to be so thoroughly practical, black crape 
would interfere very much with our work in this 
climate. Unless from nine o’clock in the morning 
to four in the afternoon, every day from March 
to October, we give ourselves up to doing nothing 
but lounge under the swinging punkas, we can- 
not endure the melting costume.” 

Yes, that is so; and crape bonnets, and crape on 
Mr. Litchfield’s hat would ensure sunstroke the 
first day. Or if we did . reach home alive after 
tramping these dusty streets and the still more dusty 
villages around, how filthy we would ajDpear ! ” 

Here is a letter I had not noticed,” interrupted 
Mr. Litchfield. “ It was in the folds of one of 
these papers. The secretary urges us to remain 
upon the field another year until the new mis- 
sionaries become acquainted with their work.” 


PBEPABATIONS FOB BETUBJST HOME. 


413 


‘‘ I am ready, if it is best,” replied Cleora with 
quivering lips. 

“Yes, ready to die,” exclaimed Llewellyn; “but 
I am not ready to allow it. If necessary I will 
wait, but you must go next month, with the babes, 
to America.” 

“Now I want a promise from you both,” inter- 
rupted Margaret. “ It is that you will leave your 
part of the decision of this whole vacation-ques- 
tion to the other missionaries of our station. You 
know there are nine of us besides you now. Will 
you accept wliatever we may agree to unanimously.” 

‘‘Yes. Will we not,' Llewellyn?” 

He did not answer for a moment, reflecting upon 
the possible feeling of the new missionaries, and 
how it might lead them to act hastily in regard 
to the best interests of the mission. Then he 
replied — 

“ And I will agree also, provided the judgment 
is endorsed by the senior missionaries here of the 
other Societies.” ^ 

“Well then,” said Margaret, “prepare to go home- 
ward next month, both of you. I know what they 
all will say. And by next steamer from Bombay, 
I will have a letter off for the secretary, requesting 
that permission be cabled you ; and the application 
will be signed by every one of us, no mistake at 
all.” 

And so it was. Doctor Dunbar relieved Miss Kil- 
burne of the hospital, while she moved into the Litch- 
field dwelling, as more convenient for her school, 


414 


SELF-GIVING. 


zenana and Bible-women work. Miss Rivington, 
transferred from Bareilly, was to be lier companion. 
The new bungalow, recently completed, was large 
enougli to accommodate both the Fowler and Wight- 
man families, if ever one house is large enough for 
two families. 

New trunks and dresses were procured. Part of 
tlie furniture was sold, as it did not pay to store 
goods even for a year in that climate. Huclii was to 
accompany the little seven-year-old twins. All the 
plans included the Palestine detour. But no funds 
were required from Boston. Two English saddles, 
one most beautifully mounted for a lady’s use, arrived 
from Calcutta, and the same evening a messenger 
brought a letter, which read : 

“Will Mr. and ]\Irs. Litchfield please accept the 
saddles and enclosed draft for one hundred pounds, 
for their tour of the Holy Land, in token to the mis- 
sion of R. B. Lindsey’s grateful appreciation of his 
affianced Miriam ? ” 


CHAPTER XLL 

MOEE HEEOISM AT CASHMEEE GATE AND LUCKNOW 

EESIDENCY. 

A fter all the work of rearranging and of get- 
ting the machinery of the station in motion 
again was done, Margaret Kilbnrne began to realize 
that she was as tired, if not so worn out, as the Litch- 
fields. 

Two weeks’ immediate change and rest were urged 
upon her by the other missionaries. But where 
should she go ? It was not hot enough yet for one 
who was acclimated to flee to Debra Dooii or Nainee 
Tal, or anywhere else upon the Himalayas. On the 
other hand, the season was too far advanced for' her 
to entertain the plan she would have preferred, of the 
rough, toilful journey to Chota Nagpore, where a 
German sister had been entreating her to come and 
see the wonderful work among the Kolhs. 

It was finally decided to go first to Delhi, as the 
nearest resting-place. But Margaret little dreamed 
of the conflict of soul which there awaited her, and 
which she was hastening by several days. 

Part of the second afternoon there had been spent 
with her missionary lady friend, in the magnificent 
apartments of Shah Jehans’ palace, recalling the gor- 

415 


416 


SELF-aiVING. 


geo US scenes of Mogul history centreing here ; while 
appreciating the noble octagonal entrance, the Nobut 
Khana or music hall, the Dewaniii Aum, where stood 
the ‘‘ peacock throne,” the Rung Mehal and the 
Dewanni Khas, thinking all the while how far from 
truth the famous inscription around the roof of the 
latter, the private audience hall — “ If there is a 
heaven on earth, it is this, it is this ! ” 

Ah, Miss Leach, how much more we know of 
‘ heaven on earth ’ in the blessed j)rivilege which is 
ours, of working for the salvation of heathen souls ! ” 

‘‘Yes, Miss Kilburne. Though this was the most 
magnificent palace of India, perhaps of the world, I 
would not exchange for it my humble mission-bunga- 
low.” 

They strolled along out the Chandni Chowk, pass- 
ing in sight of the imposing Jumna Musjid, and 
then turning through the well-kept English garden, 
made their way to the Cashmere Gate. 

As ]\Iargaret sto]jped to read the memorial inscrip- 
tions there to the world-known heroism of British 
troops in storming the city at this gate. Miss Leach 
moved on a few rods to pluck some wild flowers. 

At the same moment a carriage passed with four 
gentlemen, one of whom Margaret immediately rec- 
ognized as General Loughridge, late United States 
Senator from Illinois. Although instantly she 
turned her face, the recognition had been mutual, and 
greatly to her confusion, Margaret heard him stop 
the horses, and excuse himself to his companions, say- 
ing : 


MOnE nEROISM. 


417 


“ This is an American missionary laclj", an old 
acquaintance.” 

‘SAI iss Kilburne, altliongli you have not replied to 
several letters I have written you since your coming 
to India, vou will not consider this an intrusion, I 
hope.” 

'' O, no, General Loughridge. I trust you are 
well. And are you travelling, or residing abroad?” 

“ On leaving Washington a few weeks ago, I 
started on a Amry rapid tour around the world, 
expecting especially to meet you in two or three days 
in Ag^ra.” 

‘‘ Indeed, Mr. Loughridge, your persistent per- 
sonal interest in me, however flattering, is very 
unreasonable.” 

‘‘ I cannot help it. Ever since our pleasant com- 
panionship in Chicago I have wanted jmu to give up 
the idea of living and working in India. But now I 
can have the appointment of Consul-General to this 
country, and reside in Calcutta probably for many 
years.” 

O, please not torture me with such generosity of 
heart and hand. I am wedded to another whom I 
love — Christ — and his mission cause is my life.” 

‘‘ I will not interfere with your religion and your 
work, if only you will create for me a home.” 

“ Impossible. Go back to America and forget me. 
God give you some noble woman, you deserve her. 
Farewell! Please not stay a moment longer. I can- 
not endure this conflict of womanhood with Christian 
principle. Do not drive me insane ! Go ! Ah, there 


418 


SELF-GIVING, 


is my company ; I join her at once. God bless you ! 
Farewell forever!’^ 

Miss Leach noticed the flushed face and tearful 
eyes of Margaret, and totally unaware of the inter- 
view, presumed that the inscriptions and touching 
memories had affected her as they had multitudes of 
others. 

‘‘ Such heroism, such noble self-sacrifice as those 
British soldiers displayed, Miss Kilburne, are what 
we need as missionaries in battling for the Lord.” 

“ Yes ; God knows that is so ! ” 

“ Indeed, how much he knows that none others 
know, and none others can know, of our conflicts, 
and wounds, and heart-bleedings.” 

Let us hasten back to your room ; I must take 
the next down-train. As you love the cause and me, 
please not ask any explanation.” • 

Margaret went very early to the station, and, buy- 
ing a third-class ticket for Agra, seated herself where 
she felt quite safe from observation, should General 
Loughridge take the same train. 

She had no intention, however, of going to Agra and 
running the risk of another interview with him. 
Her Delhi friends Avere allowed to hear her ask for 
’ an Agra ticket, that, should he call there upon her, 
they would not be able to help him- in tracing her. 
So at Allygurh, giving the guard a hastily pencilled 
letter to Miss Rivington, she skipped over through 
the station to the train for Lucknow, via Bareilly. 

As she seated herself again for the much longer 
ride, she saw General Loughridge pacing back and 


MOBE HEROISM. 


419 


forth alongside the first-class car of the Delhi and 
Agra train. 

Instantly she raised the blind to her ^Yindo\v, 
shutting out the prospect of love, and wealth, and 
honor, and shutting in the certainty of inappreciation, 
and poverty, and of almost insupportable loneliness. 

‘‘I do this, O Christ, for thee I ” she whispered as 
she buried her face in her hands and wept. But be- 
fore the train reached the crossing of the Ganges, 
peace had come to her troubled heart, ‘‘peace pass- 
ing all understanding.*’ 

At Bareilly, in the morning, Margaret would have 
stopped off for a day’s rest, for she felt very 
wearv from the excitement and travel. But there 

c/ 

was a widower missionary there, whose wife had been 
dead a year, and to avoid any occasion for scandal, 
she decided not to break the j(^urney till she arrived 
at Lucknow. 

As she entered the former kingdom of Oudhyshe 
could see in the richness of its soil, in its density of 
population, and in its nearness to the cooling Him- 
alaj^as of which she caught glimpses, reasons enough 
for the magnificence of the city she was about to 
visit. 

After recovering from the fatigue of the journey, 
and in a measure from the exciting experience 
through which she had passed in Delhi, Mai’garet 
accompanied the Lucknow missionaries to the dif- 
ferent departments of their successful work. And 
then, as one after anotlier of them could find time to 
be her escort, she visited the immense Imambara, the 


420 


SELF’GIVING, 


imposing Kaiser Bagli, the museum, the tomb of 
hlohammed Ali, tlie La ]\Jartiniere College, and the 
grave of General Havelock at the Alum Bagh. 

But her special interest was in the ruins of the old 
Residency, near the grounds of the mission ; and 
here she spent an hour or two every afternoon, stroll- 
ing among the broken walls where those few hundred 
English men, and women, and children suffered, and 
fought, and died. Each time she went to the tyk- 
hana, or cellar rooms where the sufferings of so many 
women and children were ended, and to the adjoining 
cemeteiy where they were laid to rest, and to the 
summit of the watch-tower where brave men noted 
every movement of the enemy. 

As Margaret was watching the sunset from that 
tower the evening before her return to Agra, and 
thinking how sweet the music of the Highlanders 
must have sounded when first it reached the listeners 
on that look-out, a gentleman joined her whom she 
immediatelv recognized as Doctor Turnbull of 

V 

Bareillv, the widower she had avoided. 

“ Miss Kilburne,” said he, “ I am very fortunate in 
finding you alone. I learned yesterday from our 
Lucknow friends, that you were visiting them, and I 
have come purposely to see you. At the house they 
directed me to the Residency.” 

‘‘Yes. Of what service can I be to yoii ? 

“ Of the greatest service in the world. Over a 
3^ear ago my home Avas broken up, and ever since 
I have been good for nothing as a missionary. I 
cannot preach, or teach, or write. ' With your help, 
I could again be useful.’' 


310 RE HER0IS3f. 


421 


“ Are strong men so dependent upon frail women ? ” 

‘‘Yes ; after they have learned woman’s worth as I 
have.” 

“But why approach one whose responsibilities 
already are crushing her? No, Doctor ; it is not for 
me to help you as you wish.” 

“ I beg you to consider. Large reinforcements 
have come to your station ; none to mine. I have 
two children without a mother ; since Mr. Litch- 
field’s have gone you have no longer even the partial 
care of them. You ' know the importance of my 
work ; without you I cannot carry it on. If you will 
not come to my heart and home, I must drop all and 
go to America.” 

“ Surely that would be better, and get a wife 
there.” 

“ Have you not one word of encouragement to give 
me?” 

“ No ; positively, no. My duties are plain, and do 
not include marriage. Let us immediately return to 
the mission, with no farther reference to this subject.” 


CHAPTER XLII. 

FOUR WEEKS IN PALESTINE. 


railway having been completed tlirough to 
Bombay since Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield arrived 
in India, they sailed from thence for Port Said, 
and there exchanged steamers for Beirut. 

O 


They would have landed at Joppa, but it was nec- 
essary 'for them to go on first and arrange a tempo- 
rary home for the children and Huchi at Beirut. It 
proved, as alwaj-s, that the little hinderers were help- 
ers. The two days lost were more than made up to* 
them by a surprising number of facilities which the 
delay threw in their way. 

Mission-life in Beirut was found to be very differ- 
ent from that in India, or from that they had met 
years before in China and Japan. There was doubt- 
less the unrefined, repulsive, Asiatic side to it, but 
the outside superficial view was very European, very 
cultured and luxurious, and certain to mislead the 
casual traveller. The visitors knew that the literary 
and educational work centring here, and especially 
the distribution thence of the Arabic Bible over the 
entire Moslem world, ^vere a cause for any mission 
society's pride, and for the gratitude of the whole 

422 * 


FOUR WEEKS IN PALESTINE. 


423 


Christian Church ; but, as on the second day after 
landing, they were talking over the situation in 
the Damascus diligence, Cleora remarked : 

“ I am more persuaded than ever that we were right, 
Llewellyn, in taking account of the impressions of 
travellers in erection and furnishing of all our Agra 
buildings. Then when my property came, and we 
could have indulged in so much display, I am glad 
we did not.” 

Richly they enjoyed the ride over Lebanon, and 
the day spent among the bazaars and gardens and 
homes of Damascus. They caught also glimpses of 
Bedouin life, and on return were surprised with a 
distinct view of Cyprus. 

Restful over the boarding arrangement for the 
children and their nurse, they took the steamer for 
Joppa, where they first tried their new saddles on 
horses hired by their hotehkeeper for the day’s jour- 
ney to Jerusalem. 

One of the four weeks had now passed. A second 
was assigned to Jerusalem and vicinity ; and never 
\vere six working-days more filled with sight-seeing, 
or a succeeding Sunday of rest more welcome. 

At their hotel they spent very few minutes of day- 
light, always carrying a noon lunch with them. 
While they went through the Church of the Holy 
Sepulchre, visited the Garden of Gethsemane,- the 
Via Doloroso, the tombs upon Mount Zion, the 
Mosques of Omar and Aksa, the Kedron, the Pool 
of Siloam, and many other interesting localities, they 
enjoyed most climbing Mount Olivet, and from its 


424 


SELF- GIVING, 


summit leisurely taking in the entire scene as one 
whole. Thus they were not being imposed upon by 
credulous monks and guides, for the general features 
of hill and valley, and sky, and distant waters and 
mountains were the same as when Christ lived here 
among men. 

Two da}^s were spent on an excursion to Bethlehem 
and Hebron. A company of English, Scotch and 
Americans from the hotels and the encampments 
around the city was made up, and while Mr. and 
Mrs. Litchfield were very glad to join, they decided 
from this little experience to arrange to go iiule- 
peudently northward through Samaria and Galilee. 

From the incense-smoking Grotto of the Nativitv 
at Bethlehem they retreated in a few moments, leav- 
ing their curious, credulous relic-seeking companions 
among the Armenian, Greek and Latin devotees, and 
upon a neighboring hillock reflected upon tlie glori- 
ous fulfilment here of prophecy and promise in the 
birth of the Saviour, whose Gospel it was their life- 
work to proclaim in India. Nor were they forgetful 
of the associated names of David, and of Boaz and 
Ruth. 

At Hebron they were not admitted to the Mosque 
that covers the cave of Machpelah, or even to approach 
the entrances of the surrounding wall. IMoslem 
fanaticism would not allow them the privile'ge of 
seeing the burial-place of Abraham and Sarah, and 
of Isaac and Rebekah, and of Leah, not even though 
the party offered to pay several pounds bakhshish. 
It was a privilege, however, to look at the. site of 


FOUB WEEKS IN PALESTINE. 


425 . 


the well identified cave ; to see the extensive- vine- 
yards around, and the olives and the fig-trees and the 
pomegranates, as they were in those ancient times, 
when the patriarchs lived and labored in this vicinity. 

By a slight detour on the return route from Hebron 
to Jerusalem, having had good opportunity for dis- 
tant views of the River Jordan and the Dead Sea, as 
also having seen their valley and the mountains 
beyond repeatedly from Olivet, they did not delay 
for the second usual excursion, but immediately 
arranged for the two weeks’ tour to the North, along 
other paths so often trod by the sacred feet of their 
Divine Master. 


Arrangements were made with a dragoman, who 
was well recommended, to provide horses, tents and 
every tiling to Beirut, at four English pounds per 
day. Expecting, notwithstanding the recommenda- 
tions and this generous compensation, that they 
would be subjected to numerous impositions by their 
guide and protector, they encountered them day by 
day very philosophically, and thus did not allow them 
to spoil their pleasure. 

Glancing back once more, and for the last time, 
they bade farewell to Jerusalem from Mizpah. Tlien 
on through Bethel and Shiloh to the Vale of Sliechem. 
On past Samaria and the plains of Dotlian and Esdra- 
elon, with Gilboa on the right and Carmel on the 
left. 

At Nazareth they lingered, not in “ Mary’s kitclien,” 
or “Joseph’s workshop,” or beside “Christ's dining- 
table,” but it was pleasure to sit near that same foun- 


426 


SELF-GIVING. 


tain where Jesus must have drawn water for years, 
to walk about the narrow valley where most of his 
earthly life was spent, and upon the neighboring 
western hill study a scene second only in interest 
throughout the world to that from Olivet. 

A ride upon the Sea of Galilee ; glorious views of 
snow-crowned Hermon ; a visit to the ruins of Caper- 
naum, Bethsaida and Chorazin, and tlien a rapid 
march over ancient Phoenicia, returned Mr. and Mrs. 
Litchfield to Beirut just in time to pick up the little 
waiting bundles of babyhood and blessed bother, and 
to take the next French steamer for Marseilles. 


CHAPTER XLIIL 


ADDRESSING CHURCHES AND PUBLISHING A BOOK. 


N return to America Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield 


were feeling and looking remarkably well. 
Flesh and color had come to their cheeks and to 
those of the children, and all seemed quite them- 
selves again, when they landed in New York. The 
greetings were not all cordial. 

“ Why, how soon you have returned ! It cannot 
be over four or five years since you went to Africa.” 
To India, you mean ; and it is nearly ten years.” 

“Well! It could not have been poor health that 
sent you home.” 

“We are very much better; quite well now.” 

“ Very expensive carrying missionary families back 
and forth.” 

But not all greetings were of this pattern. Some 
appreciated their work and need of rest, and talked 
with them intelligently and cordially. Especially were 
the returned missionaries glad to meet the venerable 
senior secretary of the American Foreign IMissionary 
Societjq Doctor Hartwell, to hear his sincere welcome, 
and assurance that their explanations as to late un- 
favorable rumors were entirely satisfactory. 



427 


428 


SELF-GIVING, 


Oh ! — Mr. — all — Litchfield ! ” exclaimed the 
junior or home secretary, King, “let me see you a 
moment. During your absence there have been some 
veiy ungrateful efforts to remove me from my position. 
I hope you will not allow the little differences we liave 
had in our judgments to lead jmu to give any encour- 
agement to my enemies. And it is said you are in- 
tending to stay at home now, and desire my place.’’ 
“O, Doctor King, this thought has never entered 
my head. My only ambition for a year now is to 
help you in every way I can. What do }"Ou want me 
to do ? ” 

“ Better keep quiet as much as possible. If in a 
gratuitous way you stir around very actively, }mu will 
reflect upon the ordinary services of the salaried ex- 
ecutive officers. Perhaps I can arrange some appoint- 
ments for vou in four or five months. While in 
%/ 

America I should invite }mu to visit me a day or two, 
but my wife is not in perfect health, and ” — 

“ O, Doctor King, I am so glad to see jmu ! ” ex- 
claimed Cleora as she entered. “ Years have not 
changed you very much, though with so much work 
on your hands. We have not come home to be idle, 
but to help you all we can. If we could only kindle 
a fire of mission-interest in fifty-two ministers and 
churches, as many as there are weeks in this }mar, it 
would be glorious ! ” 

Home for as much time as was possible was made 
with Mrs. Lyddell in Boston. Llew’ellyn visited his 
own mother in Philadelphia, but her continued inap- 
preciation of his work, and her urgency that he should 


ABBBESSINCi CHURCHES. 


429 


take liis wife’s capital now and settle in business and 
have a grand home, repelled him from wdiere he would 
most naturally have lingered. 

As several weeks passed and no appointments w^ere 
made by Doctor King, the returned missionaries took 
the matter into their own hands. With the informa- 
tion they had, tlie love for the cause, and the health 
and vigor God had restored to them, they felt they 
must use their tongues and their pens, even though 
their activity and its possible results might reflect 
upon Secretary King, and awaken his displeasure and 
hostility. 

Scores of letters were at hand, inviting Mr. Litch- 
field to deliver inissionary addresses. Few contained 
postage stamps, and fewer still made mention of even 
railway expenses. Several promised him the collec- 
tion, whatever it might be, while two said they would 
divide with him, since there would be their own inci- 
dental expenses for lighting and warming the house. 

A number of pastors were very urgent in their let- 
ters of application, as they were called away over 
Sunday; and it was plain they wanted a supply that 
would cost them nothing. Likewise several pastor- 
less churches were evidently trying to strike a sharp 
bargain to save their money at the expense of the 
missionary’s appropriation, and clothes, and strength, 
and time. 

missionary field indeed,”’ thouglit Llewellyn, as 
he planned out a number of tours upon these appli- 
cations. Postals were immediately returned from 
many places, urging him to change their appointments 


430 


SELF-GIVING, 


to the first Sunday evening of the month. A leading 
New York pastor replied that he must withdraw the 
invitation unless Mr. Litchfield could be present at 
the regular missionary concert, as it would be unwise 
to divert, the people's minds twice during the same 
month. 

A deacon in Ohio sent the added request that the 
missionary bring along a trunk full of idols to show 
the people, promising to meet him at the depot with 
his own team so as to save him the local express. 

Two of the ministers, whose pulpits he had agreed 
to fill in their absence, added the suggestion that he 
preach to their people a regular sermon in the morn- 
ing, leaving the mission talk for the second service. 

A church in Rhode Island I’equested that he should 
not use any of the iMood}- and San key hjunns. 

From but three places out of fifty was he promised 
the return of travelling expenses, and from but one 
was a generous, nay, not generous, but lionest pledge 
of pay for incidentals also, and a few dollars over. 

the pastor of a New Jersey church he had been 
announced for the following Sunday as one who had 
labored for half a century among the Japanese. 

But when the Reverend Doctor saw what a young 
man i\Ir. Litchfield was, and learned that his experi- 
ence had been only among some Indian tribes in 
Southern Asia, lie said that as he had himself spoken 
that year ’on the North American Indians, he thought 
it best’ to preach his usual sermon in the morning, 
abbreviating a little, so as to give the missionary a few 
moments at the close. 


ABDBESSING CHURCHES. 


431 


Those few moments told, and the people came in 
unusually large numbers to hear Mr. Litchfield in the 
evening. 

‘‘ May I ask for a collection for our Mission Society 
at the close, Doctor Smith? ” 

Oh, no ! Oiir people would not like it at all. 
We have twenty-five thousand dollars debt on our 
house.” 

On reaching the pastor of a Pennsylvania church, 
who saw the missionary pay himself the fifty cents 
hack-hire, and then made him walk a mile to the liouse 
of a poor widow woman, where “ it would be more 
convenient,” the Reverend Doctor said : 

‘‘ I am very much embarrassed by this engagement. 
A glorious revival, the first one in ten years, has 
broken out in my church the past month. Two have 
been converted, and three are asking for prayers. 
Now I am afraid your mission subject will dissipate 
these tender impressions. Please speak very briefljy 
so that I can follow you with an exhortation calcu- 
lated to lead their minds back to the subject of the 
salvation of souls.” 

In six months, by crowding in work between times, 
Mr. Litchfield had a little book ready for the press, 
entitled. The People and Religions of India. 

One publisher objected to it as a purely missioS- 
work. People did not want to be informed upon the 
subject. 

Another said he was ready to invest in the 'book, 
for it wais very interesting and instructive, but must 
insist upon a change of title — must be shorter. 


432 


SELF-GIVING. . 


“ All right,” replied the missionaiy ; ‘‘ call it The 
Hlnds:^ 


‘‘ Good as to brevity. But I want more,” insisted 
the publisher ; “a complete blind as to the subject o 
tlie book, as Jack Straivs^ or Thumbs Up^ or Oak Fil- 
ings, People will buy to solve a riddle, who care 
nothing for the book.” 

Mr. Litchfield tried again, and successfully, with 
his own chosen title. He believed in dealing frankly 
and honestly with the buying public. The result, 
after careful proof-reading, was in some respects very 
disappointing. A number of typographical errors re- 
mained, and even a few inexcusable faults in style 
had slipped through unnoticed. 

The periodicals of all the other Mission Societies in 
America and Great Britain kindly passed with hardly 
a notice these blemishes so usual in first editions, tak- 
ing for granted they would receive the author’s im- 
mediate attention, and praised and recommended the 
book in the most cordial terms. But the 3Io7ithly 
Record of his own Society, conducted by Secretary 
King, had the most scathing possible criticism of the 
stjde and statistics of the book, and a most bitter 
fling at the unacknowledged ability of the author. 

Mr. Litchfield felt surprised and hurt, but made no 
reply. He continued to work for the cause, and to 
say everything kindl\^ and in an excusing way of the 
secretaiy. In the almost unanimous commendation 
of the press he found enough to reeoncile himself to 
jealousy and bitterness, so utterly unfounded and un- 
necessary. 


•- 1 ^ 


ADDBESSING CHURCHES. 


433 


As the missionary tyro in literature went from 
place to place he found that large numbers of his 
books were being sold. But it was strange to see 
how many of his personal friends were waiting to 
borrow of others. In Pittsfield many spoke of the 
book with great enthusiasm, and scores were anxious 
to read it ; but all must take their turn with the sin- 
gle copy in the Sunday-School library. 

At the May meetings in Baltimore that year Mr. 
Litchfield was requested by Secretary King, as directed 
by the Committee of Arrangements, to be one of three 
to occupy an eYmiing. He was assured there ^'vould 
be no other addresses delivered, and yet a fourth was 
introduced without any notice to him, besides other 
exercises requiring extra time and condensation. 

As he was speaking, and reporting from India more 
frankly than had the secretary in print, and travers- 
ing the ground of the home responsibility for mis- 
sions, the spirits of jealousy and bitterness again took 
possession of Doctor King, and noting, with the chair- 
man, that the proposed time had been occupied, he 
urged the pliable figure-head to put the speaker down. 
It was done in a very ungracious way, and the secre- 
tary chuckled over the increased chances his mor- 
row’s re election, for which none had labored harder 
than his foolishly supposed rival. 


/ 




CHAPTER XLIV. 


MRS. LITCHFIELD AT WOMEN S MEETINGS. 


T was very mncli harder and far more expensive 
for the missionary wife than for her husband, to 
go tramping over the country visiting and speaking 
for the cause. He could say yes, and on ten minutes’ 
notice throw Ids broadcloth suit and a change of 
linen into his satchel and be off. • But she must begin 
to think and plan in many directions; as* to the care 
of the children, what they shall eat and wear, as to 
what should be done in case of sickness, as to the 
mending: and freshening of her own garments since 
the last week’s wear and tear, and dust and perspira- 
tion, as to the necessary shopping for self and fam- 
ily during the absence, and as to packing away in 
the smallest possible space her best silk suit with all 
its accompaniments, so as to avoid the necessity, if 
possible, of^aking along a trunk. 

At first Mrs. Litchfield did not make much 
account of incidental expenses, thinking that if half 
the time her railway fare was refunded, she would 
contribute the balance. 

But in less than two months her new travelling and 
sjieaking suits, with all their fixings,” and her 

434 


MRS. LITCHFIELD AT JVOMEN^ S MEETINGS, 435 


bonnet and hat, and the two dozen kid gloves she 
bongkt in Paris, and other things, which usually last 
women from four to eight times as long, were too 
shabby for public use. To keep replacing at her own 
expense, even if she could afford it, she concluded 
was not right. It would occasion invidious compari- 
sons, and draw censure upon salaried executive 
officers of the Women’s Mission Societies, whose pay 
and incidentals must take everything into account. 
If she had money to give, she must give as others 
give ; and when she worked, she must work as others 
W'ork, makiim others bear their full share of incidental 
expenses. Although not so serious a matter with her 
husband, she thought Secretary King was partly right 
in discouraofin^ his gratuitous mission labors at home, 

o o o ^ 

and in avoiding any reference and endorsement of 
them in his annual report, and the society’s periodicals. 

But what should she charge for incidentals, in 
addition to money paid railways and other public 
conveyances? It surprised and worried her very 
much to figure, because the result was so far in 
excess of the usual judgment of people, and would be 
quite certain in the opinion of many to mark her as a 
moneA-grasping, worldly-minded woman. 

Her calls averaged a distance from home of two 
hundred miles. Such a trip usually took tlie time 
and strength of four days, with two nights in sleep- 
ing-cars, or their equivalent expense. In Boston she 
used tlie street-cars or her mother’s carriag^e, but at 
her destinations in the strange cities she had generally 
to hire hacks. Thus she reckoned : 


436 


SELF-GIVING. 


To 200 miles distance averai^e H. Pt. . . $10.00 

To sleeping-cars two nights, and x^orter’s fees, 3.20 
To carriage hire, . . ... 1.00 

To street-cars, .12 

To lunches en route, ..... .50 

To extra care of children, .... 4.00 

To postage and stationery, .... .25 

To one pair of kid gloves, .... 1.35 

To rusche for neck and sleeves, . . . .50 

To l-20th cost of travelling suit, ($25.00) . 1.25 

To l-20th cost of speaking suit, silk, ($50.00) 2.50 

To l-20th cost of hat and bonnet, ($7.00, $3.00) .50 

To l-20th the cost of shoes, satchel, shawl, 

umbrella, neckties, and other wear, ($10.00) .50 

To one telegram, .25 


Total incidental exj^enses, $25.92 

Total incidental expenses for average 200 miles 
distant missionary meeting, over railway, 
carriage and street cars, . . . $11.60 

Lest Mrs. Litchfield had overestimated, and to 
make it an even amount, she decided to require 
wliere it could evidently be afforded, the promise of 
ten dollars for incidentals, in addition to the expense 
of public conveyances. For shorter distances she 
usually mentioned half that sum ; and when she 
went as far as Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis, she 
merely suggested that more would be needed to cover 
her necessary incidentals. 

Of course many good people felt very much scan- 
dalized. 

“ What are we coming to ! ” exclaimed INIrs. Deacon 
Jones of New Haven, as she replied to Mrs. Litch- 
field, without enclosing a postage, stamp, and promis- 


MRS. LITCUFIELD AT WOMEN^ S MEETINGS. 437 


ing lier,^ if slie would come unconditionally, slie might 
take up a collection for herself. 

“ O dear ! the heathen world can never be con- 
verted, if missionaries are to be so selfish, so actuated 
by mercenary motives ! ” declared the rich Mrs. Doc- 
tor Gray of Washington, as she glanced over the 
answer to her request that Mrs. Litchfield come and 
speak at a union meeting in her husband’s church, 
where she could incidentally so advertise Mr. Litch- 
field’s new book as to more than cover all expense. 

‘‘ What is the matter, my darling? ” asked Deacon 
Lessing, a wealthy iron manufacturer of Pittsburg, 
as his wife returned weeping from an afternoon’s 
drive behind his five thousand dollar span of blood- 
horses. 

“ Boo, hoo ! I have lost my faith in missionaries. 
They are regular Shylocks. After all we have done' 
for the cause — more than five dollars every year since 
we were married — I thought I might ask one favor of 
tlie mean, niggardly set. I wrote Mrs. Litchfield of 
Boston to come on here, and help pay off our debt 
for the new vestry carpet, and there is the letter. 
Just read it ! ” 

And there were many other strange requests to 
which Cleora liad to reply. 

A New York lady living in a Fifth Avenue palace, 
begged her to excuse any offer beyond railroad-fare, 
as the treasury of their society was empty. 

An Indianapolis plea came, that as she was to pass 
throuoli on her wav to St. Louis, and would need 
rest for so long a journey, she stop off a night, and 


438 


SELF-GIVING, 


address a union meeting of several hundred women, 
adding that probably some one would see to it that 
she was not put to any expense for food and lodging. 

“If you can arrange for a woman’s meeting with 
some other church in Vermont, so as to divide your 
railroad expenses with us, we shall be very glad to 
have you come and talk to our sisters, and rouse them 
on missions,” was in one letter, with the added re- 
quest, that, as so few of them felt wdlling to pay 
twenty cents per year for the mission paper, Mrs. 
Litchfield should wiite them once a month, while slie 
was at home, a good long account of interesting tours 
in India to be read to the society. 

The secretary of a woman’s circle in Michigan 
wrote that the}’’ would like to hear her, but they were 
conscientiously opposed to paying anything for home- 
work in the cause of missions. Their own collector 
had worked now for seven years without any compen- 
sation. 

From tlie President of the Glenwood Association 
Cleora received the following generous and moving 
appeal : 

“ We shall have thousands at our summer resort this 
year. There is no place like it in all the land for glo- 
rious scenery, good air, and rest. If you will come 
and address a meeting, you will have several hundred 
miles’ ride through the most picturesque part of our 
country, and meet here hundreds of ministers and their 
wives. You will have no such opportunity for an 
“outing” in America. We will pay half of your 
railroad fare.” - 


MRS, LITCHFIELD AT V/OMEN' S MEETINGS. 439 


‘‘ Of course 3^011 would be shocked if we should be 
so inconsiderate as to suggest mone}^ considerations,” 
continued another. “ For us, all this is a labor of 
love. How the blessed Lord must look down with 
jo}^ upon services which are rendered freely, without 
money and without price.” 

Mrs. Litchfield’s monthly account for mission post- 
age and stationeiy in her home vacation work was as 
follows : 


To average of five letters per day postage 

To writing paper 

To envelopes 

To postals 


$4.50 
1.50 
. .35 
3.00 


Total expense per month . . , $9.35 

Credit of average of one three cent stamp per 

day enclosed in letters of application . . .90 


Net total expense $8.45 


For the year . . . . , , $101.40 


As Mr. Litchfield’s postage and stationery cost him 
as much more, the total of over two hundred dollars 
was one quarter of his vacation salary allowance. 

After ail all-night and all-day ride from Boston, 
Cleora, in response to one of these exhilarating invi- 
tations of impecunious love for the cause, reached 
Buffalo at nine in the evening. No one met her, and 
as she was looking around for a possible messenger, a 
coarse, blear-ej^ed rujBQan grossly insulted her. For- 
tunately an acquaintance, a New York merchant, who 
was passing, recognized her, and offered to escort her 


440 


SELF-GIVING. 


to the home of the lady with whom she had corre- 
sponded. They found it a large mansion on Delaware 
avenue. 

Mrs. Klyn had not returned yet from a party, but 
her estimable young lady daughter said she believed 
her mother had made some arrangements somewhere 
else to keep her until she had gone. 

“ You can come in, and sit down, and wait, if you 
want to.” 

Tliank you.” 

“ There is a rug to wipe your feet ; suppose you 
have been walking.” 

Thank you ; we had a carriage.” 

“ Ah ! the gentleman was very kind. Suppose you 
have not had anything to eat ? ” 

“No matter; I can go to a restaurant.” 

“ Wait, I will call down-stairs. Bridget! Bridget ! 
Are there any more scraps on that ham-bone ? ” 

The New York merchant, who had been too angry 
to speak, finally at this exploded : 

“I insist, Mrs. Litchfield, now, upon conducting you 
to the best hotel, and to the best suite of rooms it can 
furnish you, as my guest. In half an hour I will have 
as good a dinner for you as Buffalo can furnish on 
call at ten o’clock at night.” 

Tliat moment Mrs. Klyn entered. 

“ I beg pardon, Mrs. Litchfield ; I should have left 
word here that Mrs. Gleason on Main street is expect- 
ing you. You better hurry over there, as probably 
she is keeping supper waiting. Only a mile : you can 
walk it in twenty minutes.” 


MRS. LITCHFIELD AT WOMEN^ S MEETINGS. 441 


A moment after the door had closed upon this de- 
lightful experience, the gentleman hailed a carriage, 
and saw Mrs. Litchfield to her place of entertainment, 
lingering a few moments to assure himself that it was 
real hospitality, and not imposition. 

Near midnight the weary traveller, who was to ad- 
dress two meetings on the morrow, was shown her 
room. 

‘'•When you retire,” said the hostess, “you must 
not blow out the gas, but turn it off in this way.” 

“ Yes. Thanks.” 

“ And when you want water for washing, you turn 
the faucet, thus.” 

“ Yes. Thanks. 

At Milwaukee she was allowed to pay express on 
her trunk both from and to the depot. 

“ I should not allow it,” observed the wealthy law- 
yer from whose house she was going, “ only I know 
your expenses are already arranged for in some way 
by the missionary cause.” 

She was in this city two nights and for five meals, 
and she was passed around to four different places so 
as to divide the burden of entertainment. 

The women’s anniversary this year was held in 
Baltimore, and Mrs. Litchfield was to be the principal 
speaker, addressing at least twice. All the best and 
most convenient places of entertainment were eagerly 
seized by the executive officers and state secretaries, 
and the missionary was assigned to Milville, a manu- 
facturincr suburb five miles distant — over an hour 

O 

upon the street-cars. 


442 


SELF-GIVING, 


» 

A very large congregation of ladies greeted her at 
a union meeting in Portland, but the ministers’ wives 
appointed to the opening devotional exercises thought 
it was the best time they miglit ever liave to exhibit 
themselves. So one read sixty verses of Scripture, 
another prayed twenty-five minutes, and the other 
gave out three hymns, each six verses long. Conse- 
quently the time was all consumed before Mrs. Litch- 
field began. The moment she closed, such a stampede 
took place as made the collection of oidy enough ac- 
count to pass over to the sexton for his extra work. 
So here Cleora did not receive even a cent toward her 
expenses. But the president thanked her. 

The rain fell in torrents all the day of her meeting 
in Syracuse. There were only twenty in the congre- 
gation, and the collection was two ten cent pieces, 
eight fives, and ten ones — total, seventy cents. They 
generously passed over the whole amount without 
any deductions. But she caught a severe cold not- 
withstanding the warmth of the cordiality. And 
when in three days she was able to leave for home, 
the physician deducted ten per cent, from his nine dol- 
lar bill, because she was a missionary. 

As she was taking the train, a gentleman slipped 
two dollars into her hand for sleepiiig-car expense, 
saying : 

“ I know you to be a missionary, and beg you to 
accept this for accommoilation to-night, as a token of 
my regard for your work.” 

A letter followed her to Boston from the treasurer 
of the Syracuse mission-circle, asking her to receipt 


MRS. LITCHFIELD AT WOMEN'S MEETINGS. 443 


the collection and any sum that was given her at the 
depot. No postage stamp accompanied the request. 

She sent receipt for two dollars and seventy cents. 

When the meeting closed in Harrisburg, the treas- 
urer said : 

‘‘Now, please give me an itemized account of all 
your expenditures.” 

“ Reallv, I will not Iiave time now. The train is 
due in fifteen minli^es. I wrote your secretary on this 
subject. I have four other meetings this week in 
Pennsylvania, and thought it about fair to divide thirty- 
eight dollars equally among you all.” 

“ Then that makes seven dollars and sixty cents ; " 
all we owe you. Are you sure that is all? Well, I 
cannot quite make change. But here are seven dol- 
lars and seventy-five cents. If you have not the fifteen 
cents, vou can send them sometime to me in a letter.” 

At Reading, one of those other four places, there 
were a number of ladies present from other denomina- 
tions, and those in charge therefore felt too much deli- 
cacy to ask for the expected collection. There was 
no money then at the close to balance account, but 
she was assured the next time she came they would 
do something very handsomely for her. 

Unfortunately, upon a railway in Iowa Cleora’s 
trunk was lost. There were no bag^acre checks for the 

o o o 

village where she was to stop, so the trunk wuis simply 
marked, and some rascal availed himself of the oppor- 
tunity. It was a great loss, but wdieii the ladies of 
that association had their next quarterly meeting, they 
sent her a unanimous vote of sympathy. 


CHAPTER XLV. 

MAINTAI^^IXG THE STATUS QUO. 

N ^EVER was a fort held bravely than the 

situation of the Agra mission, as the Litch- 
fielcls left it, by Margaret Kilbiirne. Not Miltiades 
upon the plain of iMarathon, nor Leonidas in the pass 
of Thermopylae, nor Luther before the Diet at Worms, 
displayed greater heroism than this single woman- 
missionary in the effort to retain at least eveiy advan- 
tage gained, and be ready for advance when the rest- 
ing forces should rally again to the front. 

Only in part did she succeed, for the difficulties 
were too great. Two faithful missionaries cannot 
leave their field for even a }"ear without serious tem- 
poiary embarrassments to the work, and if their 
absence is protracted over a second year the calamit}^ 
is irreparable. 

The week following her return from Lucknow, a 
letter came from Bareilly, with the familiar hand- 
writing on the envelope of Reverend Doctor Turnbull, 
but it was not addressed to Miss Kilburne. 

As Miss Kate Rivington was the owner, Margaret 
wondered if the venerable, gray-haired, spectacled, 
toothless widower wanted to get her companion to 

444 


MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO. 


445 


intercede for liim, since liis own utter failure at the 
Residency. 

Tlie reader made no explanation, but was evidently 
quite flustered. She got her Hindi badly mixed with 
tlie natives, forgot to put on her pith hat as she 
crossed to the school-house, and so came near sun- 
stroke, and winding her watch the wrong way, broke 
the main-spring. 

Margaret noticed her re-reading that same letter 
several times, and wondered what could make the 
‘‘ go-between ” so studious. She did not dream that 
disappointed affections could so quickly centre upon 
another. 

Of all the missionaries I have met in India,” 
observed Kate one evening as she broke a half-hour 
re very, ‘‘ I admire Doctor Turnbull the most. And 
I do not see what people mean when they call him 
old.” 

‘‘ He must be sixty ! ” remarked the laughing-eyed, 
mouth-twitching Margaret. 

o o 

‘‘ Nonsense ! but somewhere between forty and 
fifty ; and men of his style at forty are quite as young 
as I am. His whiskers are gray, but the hair on his 
head is as black as mine.” 

“It is a wig.” 

“ Ah ! then it is because he has been a great student 
and is very prematurely bald. Frankly, he wants me 
to marry him. He says he feels good for nothing, but 
that with my help he may again be useful. If I do 
not consent, he must return immediately to America, 
and all his important work indescribably suffer.” 


446 


SELF-GIVING. 


Exactly what he said to me last Tuesday,” Mar« 
garet wanted to say, but she did not. The arrow 
had evidently entered the heart, and the wound was 
fatal . 

On return from seeing the happy couple off at the 
railwaj-station two montlis later Margaret found the 
Litclifield dwellincf on fire. 

II ow it caught, no one could tell. Whether it was 
the liiisty preparation for tlie wedding, or careless- 
ness ill tlie kitchen, or the pipe that Doctor Turnbull 
was smoking on the veranda while the other mission- 
aries v^^ere eatincf the frosted cake and the bride was 
closing lier trunks, or some native had committed 
arson, it was impossible to conclude. Nothing was 
saved. All i\Ir. LitchfieUrs library as well as her 
own was gone; all the furniture, and every article of 
IMa rgaret’s wardi'obe except what she had been wear- 
ino^ at the weddinof. 

fr> 



- to be celebrated the coming autumn, were very help- 
ful to jMargaret in this double extremity. The fair 
Eurasian by extra work almost filled the place of the 
departed bride. And ]\Ir. Lindse}", apparently now a 
sober, virtuous, and reliable Christian kindly offered 
to take all the care of the rebuildins:. 

O 

N 

“ I find. Miss Kilburne, that, as the wMls'are good, 
the building can be restored for two hundred pounds. 
I can contribute half; I wish I could all.” 

Perhaps, a mysterious Providence meets right 
here }'our generous offer, INlr. Lindsey. Several 
weeks ago I received an anonymous letter from 


MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO. 


447 


Chicago, enclosing a draft to my order on London 
for a hundred pounds. I cannot identify the hand- 
writing, but I have my suspicions, and am reluctant 
to use the money. But liere is a necessity ; I w ill 
endorse it, and you may proceed with the building. 
May God reward you for your work and sacrifice ! ’’ 

“ Ah ! Miss Kilburne, before I commenced tin's 
new life of consistency with my old religious profes- 
sion in England, I spent much more time and money 
ill sin. The Litchfields and you came to the heathen, 
but God sent you — and Miriam to me.” 

Doctor Dunbar did not believe in women-physi- 
cians, and felt that i\liss Kilburne had unsexed her- 
self by administering quinine to fever-patients and 
applying porous plasters to Aveak backs. His horror, 
when he found that the hospital-knives and saws 
had actually been used in a case of amputation, was 
equalled only by his* chagrin to have Margaret’s 
successful surgeiy followed b}^ three fatal cases of 
gangrene under his more scientific manipulation. 
WhencA^er klargaret spoke to his A\ife, he looked as 
if he thought a moral pestilence Avas threatening the 
sanctities of his home. 

But poor health, the angel that has really or nom- 
inally sent home and out of the Avay many impracti- 
cable and unamiable missionaries, necessitated Doctor 
Dunbar’s return to America, and the hospital Avas 
again on Margaret’s hands. 

As there Avere forty in-door patients, and scores 
calling daily at the dispensary, she must Imye help, 
since already she Avas over\Adielmed Avith Avork. 


448 


SELF-GIVING. 


A Doctor Price of Calcutta was recommended as a 
Christian physician who had lately arrived, and who 
desired to combine missionary-work with a living 
practice ; and so he was installed on a three months’ 
trial. 

But deaths began to multiply at the hospital, and 
strange doings were reported from the dispensary 
among the natives. In one day seven corpses were 
removed. Some said the new doctor had opened a 
barber-shop ; others that he believed only in using 
ph}"sic ; and still others that he was going to set fire 
to the building, and was himself preparing to die. 

It was that same fatal day, a messenger announced 
that the Agra native pastor, Saroop Singh, was dying 
at the hospital. Margaret rushed over, and found 
Doctor Price kneeling at the side of the unconscious 
man, pouring oil upon his head, and praying. 

‘‘ Why, Doctor Price, what are }^ou doing ? ” 

‘‘What Saint James told us to do.” 

“ No, you are not ! By ‘ anointing with oil ’ he 
meant the right kind of medicine and care first of 
all, and then prayer. Get up off of your knees here and 
help me. This dear man’s life is too valuable to lose 
on any such nonsense. I see it is a case of opium- 
poisoning. How long has he been asleep ? ” 

“ Only a few moments. But a little more oil and 
prayer will surely awaken him, and cure him 
immediately.” 

“ W ake him up in Heaven in half an hour, you 
idiot ! ” 

Already she had dashed two cups of cold water 


MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO. 


449 


upon the unconscious head and chest, and her finger 
was in the throat endeavoring to excite vomiting. 

“Nurse, run for the mustard and some warm water ! 
Doctor, hurry to your office, and bring the stomach 
pump ! 

“ That is right, nurse. Now call four men from 
the press to walk this man, and to slap his hands 
and feet and body. Why does not the doctor bring 
the pump ? ” 

“ He went to praying as I came with the mus- 
tard.” 

» 

In a moment Margaret had run to the office, 
seized the pump, and was emptying the almost mur- 
dered man of the fatal poison. The enforced walking 
and the vigorous slapping woke him in a few minutes, 
and in one hour he was out of danger. 

“ I knew it would be so,” said the doctor, as he 
arose from his knees : “ I will send word immediately 
of this remarkable ‘ healing ’ by the ‘ pra}^er of faith ’ 
to my pastor in Chicago, who is writing a book on 
the subject.” 

With the same vigor with which she had attended 
to the other case of poisoning, and exercising her 
special authority over the hospital-premises, Margaret 
saw that hobby-riding religious fanatic vanishing 
bag and baggage in twenty minutes, and then 
returned to the cot of Saroop Singh, endeavoring 
there and at all the other cots of the several wards to 
mingle common sense with prayer, and tlie use of 
the proper remedies with faith in God. 

. Margaret and the Litchfields, however, were not 


450 


SELF-GIVING, 


prepared to affirm that all miraculons healing of the 
sick in answer to the prayer of faith belonged to the 
past. Yet all instances under their own observation, 
or which were reported by native Christians, and 
which seemed to deserve consideration, were under 
circumstances where it was utterly impracticable to 
make use of the proper instrumentalities. 

To the kindred subject of demoniacal possessions, 
and the exorcism of those thus afflicted, their atten- 
tion was frequently drawn. They believed in the lit- 
eral interpretation of God’s word, and that they had 
not had to come to India to meet those who were not 
only under the ordinary power of Satanic corruption 
and temptation, but also specially and completely 
overborne by spirits of evil. But the manifestations 
of demoniacal possessions were frequently found by 
them in the heathen world to be specially demonstra- 
tive, in that the sufferer's personality, will and reason, 
were lost, and that ‘the mental and physical symp- 
toms were peculiarly distressing. 

The missionaries felt that these features of pos- 
session, so strange to them, though so familiar to the 
people, were fresh evidence of the mercy of God, as 
to those in the time of Christ, in revealing beyond 
the light of Scripture, a measure of the condition and 
peril of man. And they rejoiced to find the evil still 
subject to the power of Christ, as exercised through 
converts from heathenism and their missionary asso- 
ciates, and that thus incidentally, as guided by the 
wisdom of divine Providence, their evangelizing work 
was materially assisted. 


MAINTAmiNG THE STATUS QUO. 


451 


Two items of interest at this time occurred in 
connection with one of the other Aofra-missions. A 
3miing lady had been educated and sent from Eng- 
land with mission money. A generous outfit had 
been provided by friends of the cause. But in pass- 
ing through Calcutta, a government clerk proposed, 
and no proposition followed the hasty marriage to 
reimburse the society. 

After the death of another of the same mission, lus 
widow returned to Scotland, broken completely in 
heart and health. For two years she drew from 
the treasury the most liberal allowances she could 
command, by persistent applications, dressed as fash- 
ionably as possible, and when the secretaries were 
expecting her to return to Agra, she surprised them 
with simply her wedding cards, inviting to reception 
at her own home on Bedford Square, London. 

Despite Miss Kilburne’s protests and entreaties, 
iMr. Fowler and ]\Ir. Wightman so secularized the 
Theological School, that several students were 
tempted away to government-instruction or employ- 
ment. And never was a letter more gladly received, 
than the one which told Margaret the Litchfields were 
to sail in the next steamer. 


CHAPTER XLVI. 


DISTURBING HORNETS’ NESTS. 

W HEREVER there are flowers the bees will 
gather. Through afield of clover it is almost 
impossible to go Avitliout stumbling upon nests of the 
various stinging insects, wliich feed on honey and give 
others pain. Fortunately their furious buzzing usually 
comes before tlieir severe wounding, so that the pedes- 
trian forewarned is forearmed, and rarely has he to do 
more than to quicken his pace, or move back a few 
steps, or make a short detour. 

So the Litclifields found it in the clover fields of 
the home-Christianity. Almost every week as they 
moved through the country, they stumbled upon peo- 
j)le who lived indeed upon the sweets of the Gospel, 
and were storing up precious grace and experience 
for the futui'e, but who were very sensitive to dis- 
turbance, and very dexterous at stinging others. A 
few times the missionaries, though always trying to 
exercise that discretion which is the better part of 
valor, were unable to escape the danger. The sting, 
indeed, was never fatal, but it was always painful for 
the moment, and for some time after an annoying 
irritation. 


452 


DISTURBING UORNETS^ NESTS, 


453 


One of these experiences Mr. Litchfield encoun- 
tered in the editorial office of the Baltimore Censor. 
The editor of this able and widely read paper had 
some weaknesses, notwitlistanding his many elements 
of strength. Keenly critical, he came to indulge the 
conceit that he had the right to monopolize criticism. 

Any minister or editor who should venture into tlie 
%/ 

tournament, except at the call of this proudly plumed 
knight, must face the shai’p point of his skilful lance. 
Right or wrong, there must be no failure to pay hom- 
age to his assumed monopoly of criticism. 

“What presumption I lie exclaimed as he entered 
his office the morning after hearing Mr. Litchfield 
venture upon calling in question two or three meth- 
ods of mission work in the home administration. 

“ Uuheard-of insolence ! and that, too, in my very 
presence ! ” and his great arm-chair threatened to 
shake to pieces with his indignation. 

I want a clerk to examine the files of the Balti- 
more Censor^ to see if editorially I have ever uttered 
such and such sentiments. 

“ I thought not. Then I will unhorse the dastardly 
intruder in a moment. What the young upstart has 
said must be sheer nonsense, or beyond any question 
I would have thought of it before he was born. 

“ There; that will do. Nothing now will be left of 
tlie insolent missionary who dares to turn from teach- 
ing Hindus to teaching me. Copy! 

“ No ; wait. I forgot. Is Mr. Litchfield a sub- 
scriber? I thought not. Then he deserves to be an- 
nihilated.” 


454 


SELF-GIVING. 


Anotlier nest of liornet people which Mr. Litch- 
field disturbed Avas in Pennsylvania, and made up of 
worshippers of the missionaries of past generations. 

“ Carey, Marshman, and AVard, Oh,” said one, 
*'if we could only have such missionaries now ! ” 

“ Yes ; and Henry Martyn, and Duff, and AVilson,” 
observed another ; ‘‘ but alas, they have no succes- 
sors . 

‘‘ Indeed, Mr. Litchfield,” inquired still another, 
“ what do vou think Avould be the condition of the 
mission work in India to-day, if you had for co-la- 
borers such as Doctor Adoniram Judson and Mrs. 
Ann H. Judson ? ” 

“The same as at present,” was the frank reply. 

But all the eyes in the room around him rolled 
bewildered toward the ceiling. There AAms gasping 
and catching of breath. Several spectacles fell to 
the floor. 

“ But, Air. Litchfield missionaries now frequently 
err in judgment.” 

“ So did Doctors Carey and Duff and Judson.” 

No one spoke for several moments. Such an 
expression was almost as bad as blasphemy. One man, 
Avho bore tlie name of an lionored missionary, and Avho 
miglit have been lost in the crowd but for his white 
feather, moved over to the window where he could 
get more air, for lie felt faint. iVnother, Avhose face 
was pale and red by turns, broke tlie silence, by — 

“ I hope Air. Litchfield will remain in America.” 

“ At least,” observed another, “ till he has learned 
to honor the dead.” 


t 


456 


DISTURBING HORNETS^ NESTS. 

Up in Vermont Mrs. Litchfield encountered a clus- 
ter of vacationed missionaries, who had settled down 
very comfortably upon the pension lists of their 
Societies, and the added incomes of their pastorates 
and farms. One of the brethren had candidated 
during vacation in over twenty pulpits unsuccessfully. 
He had loudly protested against only twelve hundred 
dollars and a house as a missionary’s salary, but he 
had tried even one thousand dollar churches in vain. 
All the four families had been home two years, and 
though in answer to the urgent letters of the secre- 
taries, they replied with many protestations of desire 
to completely recover health and return to their work 
among the heatlien, it was evident to Cleora that one 
of the missionaries and his wife at least had no more 
expectation of seeing the shores of Africa again than 
of going to the moon. 

Especially as the brother’s church was abundantly 
able to assume his entire support, Cleora felt so indig- 
nant at his continued monthly drafts upon money 
given for preaching the Gospel to the heathen, that 
she made bold to enter a kindly protest. 

But it was not at all kindly received. Stinging 
replies and insinuations followed in quick succession. 
She could be no true friend, and could have no gen- 
uine missionary spirit. All social attentions were 
withdrawn, and many of the slanders which Mr. and 
Mrs. Litchfield met in the coming months and years, 
were traced back to the resentment felt in that Ver- 
mont village. 

Much of the blame, however, attaching to these 


456 


SELF-GIVING. 


returned missionaries, she concluded, was from the 
example of the Vermont State Secretary, who resided 
ill the same place. He had done good work, and 
was receiving a large, but none too large a salary for 
such services. For a number of years, however, it 
had become painfully evident that he had outlived 
his usefulness. Many had realized it, and made bold 
to express their judgment. A larger number were 
still silent, hoping that he would see it for himself, 
and not bring the inevitable cloud upon his record. 
But counting on the continuation of his income for 
several years more, he had purchased a number of 
shares in a Ehode Island manufactory establishment, 
and he declared he must hold on despite all the 
alleged interests of the cause, or he would become 
involved in ruinous financial embarrassments. 

Sometimes Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield stumbled upon 
clusters of people whose practical interest in missions 
was limited to criticism of executive officers and their 
salaries. Then again they would meet those who felt 
it a sin to send missionaries abroad, when they are so 
needed at home. And they came across many who 
had taken extreme views for and against intrusting 
women’s societies with executive responsibilities. 
All those nests were very sensitive to disturbance, 
and except in running lively, there was little chance 
of escape from being stung. 


CHAPTER XLVIL 


THE CHILDBEN DIFFICULTY. 

T he heaviest load which Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield 
carried upon their hearts during their year in 
America, was the possible leaving of their children 
behind on their return to India. Whenever they 
went away fro^m Boston to address meetings through- 
out the country, or even when going out shopping 
for an hour on Tremont or Washington streets, they 
gaA^e the little ones an extra -kiss and hug, to keep 
for the long and dreary famine-years that might be 
coming. Often their eyes would turn from writing 
and reading, and fasten on the darling forms which 
might soon be separated from them by oceans, and 
wliich, wlien seen again, if ever, would no longer be 
the babes of father’s lap and mother’s arms, but 
oTown to manliood and womanliood. 

Prayerfully and thoughtfully the missionaries 
souglit to be led with regard to the disposal of 
these precious treasures which God had committed 
to their care. Because they well knew there were 
special difficulties in the way of rearing their children 
in India, they did not become oblivious to the fact 
that there are special difficulties also in America, 

467 


458 


SELF-GIVING, 


and therefore assume that the famil}^ separation must 
take place at all hazaixls. 

Mrs. Lyddell's rapidly increasing infirmities made it 
entirely impracticable for her to assume tlie responsi- 
bility of two children, eight years old, until they 
should be able to care for themselves. Very soon 
she would be compelled to give up housekeeping, 
and be herself, except in the matter of money, a 
burden on others. 

One of the Mission Societies, whose headquarters 
are in Boston, had established an admirable liome 
for missionaries’ children in Auburndale, and another 
was about to arrange for a similar institution at 
Newton Centre ; but their own Society had not }’et 
given any attention to this important department 
of mission work. 

There was a way in Avhich it would have been very 
easy for Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield to have disposed of 
their little boy and girl. She could have drawn upon 
her own funds and advertised, and been overwhelmed 
with applications. And many of those ready to hire 
out their services to the missionary parents would 
undoubtedly be as good substitutes as could be 
found. But this facility did not satisfy their desire 
for providential leadership. They wanted a plainer 
path than the attractions of Mr. Lyddelbs money. 

“I think, Llewellyn,” observed Cleora one evening 
as they returned to the library after an extra look 
into the little cribs which were drawn up on either 
side close to their own bed, think that we may 
seek, and watch, and wait fur more unmistakable 


TUB CniLBIiEN DIFFICULTY, 


459 


indications of our TTeavenly P^'atiier’s will. If he 

%/ 

wants us to leave them in Aineifca, lie can inspire 
those, wlioin lie innv select, with sufficient nli^sioll- 
interest to offer to relieve us.” 

‘‘ Certainly Cleora, it would appear very differ- 
ently if one or two Christian homes should open 
spontaneously to take these responsibilities from us 
for the sake of the cause.” 

“And for the cliildren’s own sake also. I would 
not ask more than hearts touched by God’s spirit 
Avith such measure of self-sacrificing love for mis- 
sions, and Avitli evident appreciation and affection 
for our darliims. Then we could leave them. In- 

O 

deed if we could be assured of such opportunities 
one or two }"ears hence, I Avould linger behind you 
till then.” 

“Yes, that also might be best. Yet how much we 
have seen to illustrate the embarrassments arising 
from the separation of husbands uind wdves in their 
mission-work upon the field.” 

“But the year Avould soon pass, and I have faith 
that God Avould rule and overrule for the best. Of 
course if any suitable persons should offer to take 
Juddie and Margie, we sliould then waint to insist 
upon paying all expenses: but not as inducement.” 
There was a little restlessness in one of the cribs, 
then a sobbing, then a crying. To the mother, hast- 
ening into the room, the evidently heart-broken 
IMaroae exclaimed : 

o 

“ Oh, dear — I — don't — want you — and papa — 
to go home — and leave us here ! ” 


400 


SELF-GIVING, 


And Jnddie waked tip, and commenced crying 
too, though he had not overlieard, as liis sister, the 
conversation, and only felt grieved from sympathy. 

‘‘We may not leave you, darlings. We thought 
you were both asleep, and were talking by ourselves 
of what God may ask us to do.” 

Up went Margie's little hands, and the ejms closed 
as tightly as the tears would let them, and through 
her quivering lips the prayer went right up to 
“ the hearer and answerer : ” 

“ Dear Jesus, don’t take my mamma and papa 
away ! ” 

“He sha’n’t, or I’ll never love him any more!” 
screamed Juddie, as he shook his little fists toward 
the ceiling. 

“ O, Juddie, that makes papa feel very badly,” 
said Mr. Litchfield, entering, and sitting beside his 
crib. 

It was a long argument. But finally the children 
were pacified witli thoughts of Jesus’ love, though 
the little boy added, as he said good-night again : 

“ He must not take mamma and papa away, any- 
how ! ” 

Half-closing the door, and resuming the conversa- 
tion again in an undertone in the farther corner of 
the library, Mr. Litchfield said : 

“It is not probable that children have been given 
us to hinder our life-work ; and if it seems best for 
us to carry them back with us to India, I believe 
they will continue to be a great help.” 

“Yes,” added Cleora, “and parental care is per- 


THE CHILDREN DIFFICULTY. 


461 


haps a full offset to the numerous disadvantages for 
rearing children in heathen lands.” 

“ Then I have thought, dear, that the knowledge, 
so perfect, which our little ones have acquired of 
Hindi, ought not to be thrown away. If they are to 
follow us as missionaries, the coming six to ten years 
in India may be their best qualification.” 

‘‘They certainly speak the language more like the 
natives than we do ; and they are acclimated. Their 
sister had not their constitution ; and, oh ! how many 
children are buried here as well as in India.” 

“ Then there are our Benares friends, who have 
kept their children with them, not sending them to 
England till quite grown : and how successful ! ” 

“ Yes, Llewellyn, and you know the Gulick family, 
all reared among heathen; yet by God’s blessing 
upon faithful missionary parents, all the six or seven 
children are now themselves missionaries.” 

“ Our Aerra home will not be the lioht it has been 

o o 

in the dark surrounding Hinduism, if the children 
are not to be there.” 

Returning to the cribs, Juddie was found snoring, 
with his feet on his pillow, while Margie was sob-’ 
bing and laughing in her sleep, and saying in Hindi, 
— “ Mamma — me — papa — me ! ” 

With other children also, but of larger growth, 
the missionaries had difficulty. Mr. Litchfield had 
vi.-Ited several theological seminaries, and his 
addresses to the students had specially interested a 
goodl}^ number of young men of the graduating classes 
ill India and other mission fields. Five expressed 


462 


SELF-GIVING, ' 


earnest desire to accompany liim to India, and were 
encouraged by the executive officers of the Society to 
expect immediate appointment upon graduation. 
One of them had appeared before the committee, and 
been accepted. 

But tliey all failed to carry out their brave 
intentions. They acted like children, and not men in 
Christ Jesus. They endeavored not to acknowledge, 
either to themselves or to others, that they were too 
great cowards, as the hour drew near to take their 
stations far out on the picket line of Einmanuers 
army. But their excuses were altogether too trans- 
parent for general deception. 

One of them had, subsequently to his professed 
consecration to foreign missions, become interested in 
a voung lady of no special sympathy with the cause, 
and he hid his cowardice behind tlie new sentiment. 
Another began suddenly to show a very childdike 
deference to the feelings of liis parents. After all, if 
tliey did not want him to go, how could he think of 
it! The one who had been accepted, received a four- 
thousand-dollar call to a Buffalo pastorate ; and 
surelv this was of the Lord. Strange that he could 
before have been so mistaken ! Another had been 
reading a book on China, and felt unsettled upon the 
idea of going to India. There were so many more 
heathen in China; perhaps four hundred millions, 
while there were only two hundred and fifty millions 
in India. He reall}' must wait a year or two and 
decide this new and vastly important question. And 
the other was led by some faith” literature of the 


THE CHILBBEN DIFFICULTY. 


463 


Perfectionist School to question whether he was not 
being guided by Mr. Litchfield instead of by the 
Spirit of God. And he concluded, finally, that he 
could not accept the advice of any one, nor consult 
his own judgment. God must mark out his path 
without any human instrumentality. All these 
childish aberrations were very trying and disappoint- 
ing to Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield, but far better 
that the lack of heroism and common sense should 
appear in America than at the front, face to face with 
the vast host of Hinduism. 


CHAPTER XLVIIL 


LONDON MILDMAY CONFEKENCE. 

OTH Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield were profoundly 


grateful to God that their return to India in 
October and November, 1878, enabled them to spend 
that memorable week in England, when representa- 
tives of Evangelical Foreign Missions from all parts 
of the world met to consider their position, labors^ 
and prospects. 

They were merely spectators, except in the social 
meetings. To the Executive Committee, Secretary 
King had replied that he would be happy himself to 
read a paper upon self-forgetfulness, but that it was 
undesirable to give ^Ir. Litchfield the prominence of 
any formal report upon India. The anxiety of the 
secretary to figure before his denomination at home 
as their grand representative at this Ecumenical Coun- 
cil was very amusing. 

While the English and Scotch societies were repre- 
sented by strong delegations, and there were able 
messengers from many of the American and European 
missions, the general attendance was net equal to the 
interest of the exercises. The grandly successful 
labors of the Executive Committee, under the chair- 



464 


LON LON MILL MAY COKFEEENCE. 


465 


mansliip of Sir W. Muir, K. C. S. I., and of so many 
leading officers and friends of mission societies, 
should have received the response, at least from the 
London churches, of crowded assemblies at all the 
sessions in Conference Hall on Mildmay Park. 

It was very evident that with ‘‘differences of 
administration” there was “one spirit” in the great 
work of world-evangelization. There was a general 
desire for such readjustments and enlargements as 
should increase the aggressive power beyond the 
range of native churches already established. The 
“ twenty-minute papers ” and the “ ten-minute 
speeches ” packed the week full of information and 
inspiration. 

As the Litchfields listened to Rev. Dr. Mullens on 
the Increased Cooperation of Missionary Agencies, 
they felt that he was giving them very matured fruit, 
but could not anticipate how soon the noble tree 
itself should fall in Central Africa. 

So beautiful were the closing words of this lamented 
foreign secretary of the London Society, that Llew- 
ellyn took them all down in the short-hand of his col- 
lege days. “ The mission service is the noblest thing 
which human life can offer. Over the vast field of 
human sin, and sufferingo and woe, we move forward 
in the name of Him who is our model and our Master, 
to seek like Him, like Him to save, the souls that are 
being lost. True friends of the slave, the idolater, the 
followers of false religion, we see all wounded, we 
gather them to Him who only can heal, the true Phy- 
sician, the eternal Comforter ^ satisfied if at last he 


466 


SELF-GIVING. 


shall condescend to smile on our labor, and to say 
as he accepts both us and them, ‘ Inasmuch as ye 
have done unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
ye have done it unto me.’ ” 

While specially interested in Doctor Underhill’s 
able paper on Emancipation in the West Indies, Mr. 
Litclifield could not agree with the writer in crediting 
the rigliteous act of the overthrow of the wuched and 
atrocious system of slavery to the humane feelings 
of the British Parliament and people. 

It was all as in our own country, Cleora ; God 
overruling the wrath of man to praise him.” 

Reports of the advance into Central Africa, espe- 
cially of the enterprise of the Scotch Free Church Mis- 
sion up the valleys of the Zambezi and the Shire, and 
upon the shores of Lake Nyassa, so stirred their 
hearts that they almost wished Agra was at Living- 
stonia. • 

It was a great privilege to hear directly and fully 
of the industrial departments of the Lovedale and 
Blythswood Institutions in South Africa, and in the 
discussion following, Mr. Litchfield would gladly 
have reported upon the successful printing and shawl 
experiments at Agra; but his note of request, to be 
recognized by the chairman, the Earl of Cavan, was 
referred to Secretar}^ King, and that was the end of it. 

Naturally the Agra missionaries were much pleased 
at the endorsement given to medical missions, and 
they thoroughly agreed with Doctor Lowe, that the 
true position of the missionary physician is that of an 
evangelist. 


LONDON MILDMAY CONFERENCE. 


467 


As Doctor Clark of tlie American Board closed 
his glowing report of the results achieved between 
the Balkans and the Bosphorus, and between the 
Bosphorus and the Tigris, Llewellyn remarked to 
his wife : 

“How plainly God is leading American Christians 
to the front in world evangelization. Evidently our 
civil and religious life specially qualifies for evangel- 
istic w^ork among Moslems as well as among Buddhists 
and Hindus.” 

They Avere very proud of their brother missionary 
Avho was to accompany them in the same steamship 
after the meetino's — Rev. Mr. Slierrin^, of Benares. 
His paper Avas a very masterful survey of the groAvtli 
and position of Christianity in India. 

In the discussion, after Doctor Mitchell of Edin- 
burgh, upon the Sj^stems of Education Pursued* in 
India, Mr. Litchfield felt as if he must participate, and 
A^entured up in front to request a recognition through 
Doctor King. But the secretary, always true to him- 
self at least, replied: 

“ If you have any suggestions to make, I will make 
them for you. You are on your Avay to your AV'ork, 
Avhich is exclusively in India. I came across the 
ocean on purpose to represent our denomination. I 
could not help your interfering so much with my 
Avork at home, but here I can, and Avill.” 

The progress of Mahometanism in Dutch India Avas 
a surprise, as also the opportunity Avhich the Malayan 
and the Polynesian languages give to evangelization. 

“ Doctor Legge is right,” observed Cleora to her 


468 


• SELF-GIVING, 


husband ; ‘Mione but remarkable men make remarka- 
ble missionaries. Yes,” she added; ‘‘after IVIrs. Weifc- 
breclit’s paper on the Women of India, we should begin 
to ask adequate remuneration for instruction given 
in the zenanas.” 

It was encouraging to see the strong ground taken 
against the opium curse in China. Since Mr. Litch- 
field’s life in Peking, missions had evidently been mak- 
ing great progress throughout the vast kingdom, also 
in Japan. Withoverflowing heart Cleora listened to the 
reports of Christian progress since with her mother 
she rode through the Tokaido and visited the Temple 
of Kwanon, in Tokio, and wondered if ever an impres- 
sion could be made upon such heathenism. 

The Bible work of the various societies, asrcfreg'atinor 
thus far a circulation of one hundred and fifty millions 
of copies of the whole or parts of God’s Word within 
the previous seventy-five years, seemed bewilderingly 
vast. 

Rev. Mr. Sibree’s “ Ten Minutes in Madasrascar ” 

o 

were very enjoyable, with their proof of the power of 
the Gospel. 

Special impressions were made by Rev. Mr. Hughes’ 
remarks upon mission work among the Afghans, by 
Doctor Jessup’s paper upon Syria, and by that of Rev. 
Mr. Brenan upon the evangelization of the Jew^s. 

At tlie closing: meeting in Exeter Hall, Mr. and 
INIrs. Litchfield were sure they should never forget the 
address of Doctor Punshon on faith and patience, 
and that of Doctor Clark on the great missionary 
movements of the present age. 


CHAPTER XLIX. 


BENARES CONFERENCE OF NATIVE CHRISTIANS. 

I N December, 1878, the annual meeting of dele- 
gates from the Hindu churches throughout the 
Northwestern Provinces and Oudh, Rajpootana, and 
the Indore Agency, was held in tlie Rome of India. 
It was a union-meeting of the native Christians asso- 
ciated with all the various mission societies. Thoimh 

o 

the missionaries came under different auspices, and 
held different opinions upon many subjects of sec- 
ondary importance, there was thus annually presented 
to the surrounding heathen an unbroken Christian 
front. The effect was well worth all the trouble and 
expense, and Mr. Litchfield’s first duty, as well as 
pleasure, on return to Agra, was to help arrange for 
the Benares Conference. 

Cleora -remained with the children in Agjra, with 
hands full of rearranging, and superintending also 
the placing of the little monument they had brought 
from America for the grave of their eldest daughter, 
beside the beautiful Taj. Upon the tablet was room 
for other names. God only knew how soon it would 
be covered. 

The day after the arrival from Bombay of the 

469 


470 


SELF-GIVING, 


returned missionary family, Margaret was summoned 
in haste to Bareilly to tlie sick bed of Mrs. Doctor 
Turnbull. She aj)peared the rather as if she needed 
a physician and nurse herself, but perhaps she might 
save the life of another. And she did; but her 
month’s absence left Cleora overwhelmed with work, 
and yet Llewellyn’s duty for a fortnight meanwhile, 
was at the Conference. 

A darker background for the bright and beautiful 
Christian scene could not be found in India, nor 
indeed anywhere else throughout the heathen world. 
The Benares ghauts are more repelling than the 
Allahabad mela, in that the bathings are in the 
pr eseuce of such a multitude of obscene Siva tem- 
ples along the water’s edge. The grotesque booths 
of the mela are not so retolting as the Linga and 
Yoni shrines of the ghauts. 

In a few minutes, after changing cars at Mogul- 
Serai, Llewell}^! reached the opposite bank of the 
Ganges, from where, and as he crossed the bridge 
ot boats, he could see tens of thousands of Hindus 
‘‘washing away their sins” in the muddy, sacred 
waters. Afterwards he watched the scene with sad 
interest from the summit of one of the lofty mina- 
rets of the Mosque of Aurungze be, whence also he 
could count the towers of a thousand Hindu temples. 
And then, also, he had a nearer and more satisfactory 
study of the scene from a boat, in which he was 
rowed up and down the river in front of the ghauts. 

Each day as he went to the meeting, he had to 
pass the Golden and the Monkey Temples. In the 


BENABES CONFERENCE. 


471 


former he saw multitudes worshipping massive stone 
representations of the organs of lust ; in the latter 
other throngs making their religious offerings to hun- 
dreds of filthy, free and familiar monkeys. Many 
sacred cattle met him in the streets, and of course he 
must turn out for them, since they are not accus- 
tomed to make w^ay for anybody. Such inconven- 
ience was rarely now to be encountered in Agra, 
nor the disgusting bathing and’besmearing with the 
holy cattle-excrements that was constantly on exhibi- 
tion in Benares. 

The Conference was held in the mission-chapel of 

the London Society. Mr. Litchfield and the lamented 

%/ 

Sherring were the most active in counselling and 
arranging, and yet they studiously kept in the back- 
ground and pressed forward the native clergy and 
laity. 

Babu Janvier of Allahabad was moderator, and 
delivered an opening address of great merit. He 
began by welcoming to ‘‘ the Athens of India ” ‘‘ a 
city wholly given to idolatry.” “ But this little com- 
pany of two hundred Christian delegates,” he said, 
‘‘ worship not to us ‘ an unknown God.’ ” He 
spoke of real progress, especially among the multi- 
tudes who had ceased to be idolaters and were not 
yet Christians. Yet this could be a cause for con- 
gratulation only as Christians increased their efforts 
to give to those who now had nothing of religious 
conviction and principle. They must realize with 
every year they were being called upon to encounter 
less of idolatry, and more of utter religious indif- 


472 


SELF-GIVING, 


ference. The great need is not controversy, but 
Christ-iike lives and clear, simple testimony of what 
we know of the Son of God. 

A quartette of the two young men, Budlia Sing 
and Dil Sook, and the two young women, Jasodha 
Lai and Nabi Baksh, whom Mrs. Litchfield had long 
and faithfullv drilled, led all the services of soim. 
The favorites were : ‘‘ Call Jehovah thy salvation/’ 
“ In the Cross of Christ I glory,” and the popular 
bhajan, Kijun mana hhula liai uih sansara 

Reports were given from scores of stations. When 
they were plainly encouraging, as from Agra and 
Cawnpore and Lucknow, there were prompt prayers 
of thanksgiving; and when little but discouragement 
was reported, as from Benares, Meerut and Jaipoor, 
thoughtful native Christians were ready to quote the 
promises in trial, and to suggest hopeful indications. 

One was absent who was much missed, Hus- 
sain Raza Khan of Moradabad. He was to preach 
the annual sermon. But his two sons had died the 
week before, and to him the Conference sent a mes- 
sage of sjunpathy. By return mail the following 
note was received from him, and read by the native 
clerk, Prem Dass of Shahjehanpoor : 

Thanks for your tender sympathy. I cannot say more. “ I was 
dumb, and opened not my mouth, because thou didst it.’’ We are 
indeed bereaved. "We do not understand it; nor is it necessary 
that we should. 

Thoroughly prepared addresses were delivered by 
Umed Singh of Allygurh on the Christian Family ; 


BENABES CONFEBENCE. 


473 


by Fazl Haqq of Delhi, on Religion in Education ; 
by Prabhu Bhikla of Ajmere, on the Superiority of 
the Bible to the Vedas; by Joa Juminin of Fiitti- 
poor, on The Unity of Christian Evangelical Denom- 
inations ; by Behare Lai of Futtigurh, on Islam 
Weighed and Found Wanting; and by Gurdiyal 
Singh of Mirzapoor, on A Native Ministry. Several 
of these addresses were equal in merit, s o Mr. Litch- 
field thought, to any heard at the Allahabad Mission 
Conference in 1872. 

A Committee of three, Gulab Singh of Roy Ba- 
reilly, Zahur-ul-Haqq of Muttra, and Isa Dass of 
Nainee Tal, was appointed to draw up a series of 
resolutions, expressive oL the appreciative and grate- 
ful feelings of the native Christians to the mission- 
aries, and to the Christians in far-off lands who sup- 
port them. 

At the general prayer and conference meeting at 
the close, Sadu Singh of Agra spoke eloquently of 
the joy of the native Christians at that station and in 
man}" surrounding villages at the return of their 
beloved Litchfield Sahib and his wife from America, 
and Jukkan Lai of Allahabad led all in a prayer of 
thanksgiving, whicli touched the hearts of the mis- 
sionaries, and Llewellyn felt that he was in the 
Beautiful Gate of the Heavenly Temple. 


N 


CHAPTER L. 

TOUE, OF VILLAGES IX KAJPOOTAXA. 

I T was very evident to Mr. Litchfield, upon his 
return from America to Agra, that while the 
station- work had received considerable attention, 
there had been special neglect of the outlying vil- 
lages. AVith the exception of a few places in the 
immediate vicinity, none had been visited by either 
of his colleagues during the entire vear. Miss Kil- 
burne repeatedly urged an evangelistic tour of at 
least one week, but Mr. Fowler felt that he could 
not leave his school room, and Mr. AVightman, being 
of a very domestic temperament, was unwilling to be 
absent from his beautiful young wife for any con- 
^ siderable time* 

The Benares Conference having adjourned, Mr. 
Litchfield therefore immediately arranged for a month 
, of itinerating in the southwest district, across the 
line in Rajpootana. He invited the senior class of 
the theological seminary to accompany him, quite 
certain that their time would be as profitably spent 
as in the school room ; and though his home attrac- 
tions w'ere fully equal to those of his junior col- 
league, he did not allow them to interfere with his 

474 


TOUB OF VILLAGES IN BAJFOOTANA, 


475 


duty among the most lowly, and in some respects 
the most repelling of India’s millions. 

“I am convinced, Cleora,” observed Llewellyn, the 
evening before his departure, “ that we must give 
more attention to mission-work among the village 
populations. They are very poor and ignorant, and 
yet they have not the moral weakness and vices 
of the city. Then they are the feeders of the great 
centres of population. Here it must be very much as 
in America, the country furnishing to the cities the 
majorit}^ of their most able ministry and laity.” 

‘‘ It is very evident in our scliools, Llewellyn, that 
the boys and girls from the humble and remote 
villages do the best.” 

‘‘Yes, and that is why I shall hasten now out 
of our immediate neighborhood, and spend most 
of the month touring, nearly a hundred miles away.” 

The “ Rhode Island bandy,” drawn by its yoke of 
trotting oxen, carried all baggage, tent, provisions, 
cooking utensils, and a large quantity of Bibles and' 
tracts. Mr. Litchfield rode on horseback, while the 
eight young men of the theological class went afoot. 
The students attended to the pitching and folding 
of the tent, one servant to the horse and the oxen, 
and another to the missionary’s food. A division of 
labor was arranged among the young native preach- 
ers. Mouni Lall led the singing at all public services. 
Sheo Ghulain had charge of the sale of Script- 
ures and tracts. Ram Gopal, the eldest student, a 
married man of unusual dignity and wisdom, followed 
the preaching of the missionary by conversing with the 


47G 


SELF-GIVING, 


native women, and children, while Bihari Lall^ gave 
his attention at these inquiry meetings to the men 
who had been persuaded to linger. Ambica Charan 
witli Bhola Siiigl], and Wazir Dammar with Gliasi 
Ram, made two independent parties to work in the 
villages along the way which the missionary could 
not personally visit. 

A forced march of three days, or rather three 
nights, brought this little and lieroic band of Christ’s 
soldiers upon their immediate field of operations in 
Rajpootana. The villages were seldom more than 
three miles apart. Mr. Litclifield held a service each 
day at his encampment, and also two others that same 
day in neighboring villages. 

As special pains were taken to reach those communi- 
ties where there was already at least one convert, the 
arrangements made for the reception of the mission- 
ary w^ere often very quaint and touching, if not 
elaborate and expensive. A booth w^ould be erected 
in an open space of ground wuth poles and branches 
and w^hite cotton cloth, and the fioor be covered w'itli 
matting. This would be the missionary’s pulpit, the 
congregation sitting or standing around in the open 
air at distances depending upon their interest in the 
preaching. 

Although the majority of these little congregations 
were made up of the low^est caste people, usually a 
few of the upper ranks w^ould linger as if casually in 
passing, and no doubt they w”ere often better listeners 
than they appeared to be. One of them at a village 
near Man^role made his wav through the crowd at 

O fc/ o 


TOUR OF VILLAGES IN RAJPOOTANA, 


477 


the close of a service, and salaaming to the mission- 
ary, said : 

Hear me, all ye people. I am Har Nam Kunwar, 
brother to the Rctjah of Boondee. From social reasons 
I am a Hindu, thougli it is not truth. What this man 
sa}^s is truth. I will give him fifty rupees for books 
for you. You can afford to be Cliristians. I cannot.” 

Tlie great man redeemed his promise and moved 
away, resisting all the missionary’s urgency that he 
should take a single copy of God’s Word with him, or 
linger for a personal interview. 

Your Christ,” said he, ‘‘ will conquer the India of 
the future ; but I belong to the past. position 

requires selfishness and duplicity, which Christianity 
would not tolerate.” 

‘‘ May I not write to }'ou, sir? ’’inquired Mr. Litch- 
field. 

‘‘ No ; except on business. And then remember I 
am not like you, to be trusted. As a Hindu, life is 
with me a game of chance, and I take advantage of 
all the tricks.” 

At a village near Kerowlee crowds of the sick and 
their friends pressed upon the missionary. - His hands 
were otlierwiseso full, that usually he sought to avoid 
tills access to the people. But whenever lie began 
prescribing, or there was memory of his former ser- 
vices, his little medical knowledge and skill were in 
great demand. And in this village surely God used 
a few doses of quinine in the hands of Mr. Litchfield 
to enlist a life of very great value to the cause of Chris- 
tianity in India. 


478 


SELF-GIVING. 


Having recovered from tlie fever, Isa Das was able 
to intercept the I’etiiriiing missionary a fortnight after, 
and with intelligent sincerit}" he said : 

‘‘Your medicine cured my bod\\ I want now the 
cure of m}" soul. And if Christ will cure m3" soul, I 
desire to spend m}'' life in telling others of him.” 
Frequentl}^ the converts in their joy would bring 
their babes to the missionarv for him to name. And, 
as in the ancient Bible times and in Bible lands to-dajq 
theirs also was tlie custom to select names for their 
children that have meaning and adaptation, Mr. Litch- 
field would please these parents very much by taking 
one after another of the little children in his arms, 
and calling them Gratitude, and Thankful, and Hope- 
ful, and Faithful, and the like. At each selection he 
would offer a brief prayer, and the little service was 
made very impressive, and doubtless a means of great 
permanent good. ^ 

It was veiy pitiful to have so many clusters of con- 
verts or of natives, favorably disposed to Christianity, 
asking for resident teachers and preachers, which 
could not 3"et be supplied. The missionar}" held out 
no immediate encouragement, except where there was 
an evident spirit of self-reliance. In some places the 
public sentiment warranted the offer of the use of a 
heathen temple, as also the entire support of a native 
pastor if he could be secured. 

One of the largest and most fruitful meetings of 
the tour was held in a building that had been a 
shameful temple to Siva. The Bible lay where the 
obscene idols formerly" stood. The old Brahman him- 


TOUR OF VILLAGES IJST RAJPOOTAITA. 


479 


self offered the opening prayer, and three of liis con- 
verted nautch girls led the singing. As the one 
pleaded with God to send light into the darkness 
around, and the others sang — 

Tell me the old, old story 
Of Jesus and his love, 

Llewellyn could not doubt there were many angels 
hovering over the beautiful scene. 

In five villages the Christians were contributing 
one tenth of their earnings to the support of religious 
services, and in three of these a fund, small, indeed, 
but generous for the givers, was ready for the mission- 
ary to take and use in helping to send native preach- 
ers to other villages. 

Near a little river they crossed, a Christian mela 
was in progress, a kind of camp-meeting of a few con- 
verts and their families. A little market was opened 
for honest dealinc^ between services. Thou2[h no iin- 

o o 

moral exhibitions were allowed, many natives congre- 
gated, and tlie opportunity for the missionary was one 
of the best of the month’s tour. 


CHAPTER LI. 


MISS kilbubxe’s turn at the home work. 

A t Bombay Margaret expected to cormect imme- 
diately for Liverpool and New York, but an 
accident to the steamship detained lier in port nearly 
a week. However, she was enabled to begin very 
pleasantly her much needed year’s vacation by a lei- 
surely visit to the various points of special interest in 
this greatest Indian metropolis. Many hours she rode 
upon the American tramway, which gave quite a vivid 
sensation of the home far distant, and enabled her to 
see to the best advantage the INIahratta, Parsee, Arab 
and other native life thronging the principal streets. 
IMalabar Hill, the Elephanta Caves, and the Univei’sity 
tower with its magnificent prospect, each claimed a 
day and filled it with pleasant memories. Very fortu- 
nately for Margaret, the night before landing at New 
York was terribly stormy, and she was compelled to 
endure indescribable sufferincr. The rest and re- 

o 

covered vigor from the long, delightful voyage seemed 
thus temporarily lost, and when in a few hours* after 
passing the Custom House she reported at “the 
Rooms,” her welcome was unusually cordial, for she 
appeared so thoroughlj' dilapidated and' woe-begone. 

480 


MISS KILB URNE AND HOME WORK. 


481 


Many letters awaited her, mostly of invitation from 
mission bands, but as not more than one in ten of the 
letters enclosed postage, and she had no two or three 
dollars to give to her correspondents at present, 
answers to the majority were necessarily delayed. 

To make herself presentable at the score of 
women’s meetings, which it seemed best for her to 
attend on the way to Chicago, a silk dress and accom- 
paniments had to be procured immediately, which 
witli the cost of a railroad ticket home, required all 
]ier half-pa}^ in advance for two months. As her 
appointments were en route., none thought of con- 
tributing to her incidental expenses ; and as at the first 
stopping-place in Patterson she was allowed to use 
her last quarter in paying the baggage express, she was 
compelled there to check her trunk directly through, 
and travel the rest of the way in her new dress. 
Wherever she was not met now at the depots, she had 
to walk, the help of the street-cars even being impossi-' 
ble. The car-riding, the dust, and the perspiration of 
speaking so many times in crowded chapels ruined 
the pretty costume by the time she reached Chicago. 

The day before starting westward Margaret crossed 
to Brooklyn to call upon a well-known clergyman,' 
who had received many favors from her mother in 
years past. She felt as if he was the only one in the 
vicinity of New York to whom she could confide her 
need of a few dollars. But he returned her card to 
the door by a servant, with the pencilled explanation 
on its back — “I decline to receive any woman who 
has unsexed herself by studying to be a doctor.” 


482 


SELF-GIVING. 


Mr. and Mrs. Kilburne had a most loving, Chris- 
tian welcome for their daughter. Their joy and 
pride made their humble home more beautiful than 
ever had been their Michigan Avenue palace in their 
years of worldly display. The mother was a ripe Chris- 
tian, not able now to do much outside of her house- 
hold cares, but full of intelligent sympathy for mis- 
sions, and a half-hour daily she prayed for the cause. 
Margaret’s father continued as mission-secretary of 
that district, highly esteemed among the churches, 
and every year succeeding by his voice and pen in 
converting many more of the ministry and laity to 
the cause of world-evangelization. 

Passing through the State of Ohio to meet an 
appointment in Cincinnati, Margaret learned that at 
Toledo a large association of churches was holding 
an anniversary, and concluded to stop over a few 
hours. None seemed to know her, or even to have 
heard of her work. Several ministers were not cer- 
tain that there was any mission in Northern India ; 
and the entertaining pastor was evidently very chary 
of his cordialities, until he had been to his study 
and found the names of Agra and Miss Kilburne in 
his unread pile of mission-magazines. 

When Margaret saw in the printed minutes of the 
last year that the association had raised seventy-thou- 
sand dollars for home expenses, and only four dolhirs 
and twenty cents for foreign missions, she felt as if 
she must arrange a woman’s meeting before taking 
the evening-train. But no one invited her. The 
moderator objected to breaking up the general after- 


MISS KILB URNE AND UOME WORK, 


483 


noon session. He had an essay himself to read upon 
the Immorality of Using Tobacco/’ and wanted an 
audience. Then he was quite opposed to dividing 
the strength of the denomination upon foreign mis- 
sions. The women should cooperate with the men, 
and if she had any facts to present she could do it 
through their regular committee. 

However, she carried her point to the extent of 
securing a notice of a five o’clock woman’s meeting, 
to which many of the brethren lingered. All were 
interested, and a collection was taken of one hun- 
dred and thirty-two dollars. Those who carried the 
boxes were almost pale with fright. How could the 
salary-arrears of so many ' pastors be paid, when 
such an amount of money was being permitted 
to slip through their hands ! 

The moderator of the association, who had lingered 
in the vestibule, hearing all, but not willing to see 
a woman speak, now entered, and suggested that 
tlie disposal of the unexpected contribution be left 
to the regular financial committee. 

This lady has professed to talk to you as a mere 
labor of love,” he continued, “ and . doubtless she 
will be satisfied if this generous collection is appro- 
priated to the mission-cause according to the judg- 
ment of all the associational delegates.” 

Through all this Margaret was silent. She might 
have been more explicit, but trusted to the proprie- 
ties of the occasion. Of course the money would be 
forwarded to the treasuiy of the Woman’s Society 
which she represented. But it was not. 


484 


SELF-GIVING, 


While weary and supperless, the repulsed and 
heart-bleeding missionary was rolling on toward 
other duties of the morrow, the delegates behind, 
cold and hard as the steel rails underneath her trains 
decided that as the discouragement of the use of 
tobacco is legitimate mission-work, therefore the 
afternoon collection be appropriated to the publica- 
tion and distribution among the freedmen of the 
moderator’s able and timely essay. 

One stand Margaret took very decidedly. She 
would address those meetings only that were under 
women’s auspices. A woman must preside, and spe- 
cial efforts must be made to rally a congregation of 
women. All men present should be considered as guests 
of a women’s meeting. This stand, so wise in its loyal- 
ty to womanhood and in its deference to the rights of 
the general mission societies, gave her much trouble 
in correspondence, and at some of the meetings. 

The secretary of the Pittsburg band could not 
understand Miss Kilburne’s scruples, and declared that 
no lady could be found in the city to preside at the 
meeting, and that her pastor would introduce her 
after he had read a chapter and prayed. Margaret 
telegraphed, positively declining to conform to any 
such arrangement. 

Nevertheless, because she did not flush, and blush, 
and refuse to speak if even one man had slipped in at 
a meeting, many who listen to far bolder-appearing 
women in choir-loft and on concert-platform, would 
not hear her. And on the other hand, she found her- 
self, to her great annoyance, elected and published as 


MISS KILBVTtNE AND HOME WORK, 


485 


a member of the Female Suffrage Association of Chi- 
cago. 

As Miss Kilburne was delivering so many ad- 
dresses, there were multitudes who thought she was 
making ‘‘ piles of money.” Almost every day people 
applied to her for help in raising ministers’ salaries, in 
buying new carpets for churches, or in making addi- 
tions to Sunday-school libraries. 

One day in Chicago, ex-Senator Loughridge called. 
Immediately he relieved Margaret’s embarrassment by 
announcing his approaching marriage to a Washington 
lady, and added ; 

I came to tell you that if I am a Christian to-day, 
it is because of you. The giving of yourself to the 
cause of missions, when I pleaded with 3"ou to ac- 
cept the position of a senator’s wife, and then your 
subsequent steadfast loyalty to Christ when I offered 
to bring you wealth and make you the first’ American 
lady in India — I could not help it. Miss Kilburne, 
I had to acknowledge the reality of your religion. 
Before the altar on which your life has been burning, 
my unbelief has all vanished. Your Saviour is mine 
now; and thougli }"OU refused to bear m3’ name, my 
saved soul shall be a star in 3^0111* crown throughout 
all eternit3^” 

While Heaven was growing brighter to the mission- 
ary, earth was growing darker. For some months 
she liad been experiencing an increasing difficult3^ 
with lier eyes. Little haz}- spots were forming and 
enlarging, evidentl3Miot upon the surface. Her judg- 
ment told her no occular surgery could do her any 


486 


SELF-GIVING. 


good. She only waited till she could save enough to 
consult an eminent authority, and be told as reliably 
as possible, tlie length of time before she should be 
totally blind. 

‘‘ If you return to India,” he said, “ you cannot 
expect the use of your eyes for more than five years. 
In America, with great care, they may serve you ten 
years.” 

Immediately she arranged to hasten back to Agra. 
Margaret might meet her parents again, but proba- 
bly could never see them any more in the flesh. They 
did not understand why she looked at them so con- 
stantly and steadily while they were together, and 
they thought it very strange that she should want to 
take a plaster-cast of their faces with her to India, 
when photographs are so much more satisfactory and 
inexpensive. 

“ O,” she said, “ I like to feel what T love with 
my fingers.” 

Unexpectedly, on journeying eastward to reembark 
for India, Margaret met ex-Secretary King, formerly 
of Boston, but now the pastor of a little church in 
Western Pennsylvania. 

‘‘I have lost my three-thousand-dollar place, and 
onl}" get now fifteen hundred,” he growled ; “ and I be- 
lieve your Litchfields are at the bottom of it.” 

“ They have always spoken most kindly of you in 
my presence, regretting chiefly your unfounded suspi- 
cion of all their correspondence and of all their efforts 
during vacation in the home country.” 

‘‘ Snakes in the grass ! Mere snakes in the grass ! ” 


MISS KILB UENE AND HOME WORK, 


487 


‘‘Indeed, Doctor King, your judgment and spirit 
are not excusable. Both in public and private you 
have endeavored to tread upon them as serpents, 
while at the same time they have striven anxiously to 
be only angels of peace to you, guarding you from 
all misrepresentation and magnifying your virtues.” 

A day at Yonker’s Female College, another with 
Mrs. Lyddell at Boston, and Margaret watched the re- 
ceding shores of her native land once more, and with 
a very special earnestness. 


CHAPTER LII. 


CHURCH DISCIPLINE AND MISSIONARY MARTYRDOM. 

W HILE exaggerated statistics of churches in the 

foreign mission-field are far less frequently to 

be met than in Christian lands, it was one of the great 

burdens wliich Mr. Litchfield had to carry, tliat witldii 

» ■ 

the range of his acquaintance tliroughout North India, 
there were several stations where delinquent converts 
were never excluded, and many continued to be 
reported who had lapsed into heathenism. 

One missionary, against whose laxity Mr. Litcli- 
field was kindly protesting, frankly acknowledged 
that the exercise of thorough discipline among 
those under his nominal supervision would reduce a 
third the appropriation to his station. 

Those who support us,” he said, ‘‘have a mono- 
mania for large figures. They cannot long maintain 
any enthusiasm over less than hundreds and thou- 
sands. If we cannot keep rising statistically, then 
quite inevitably down goes all their practical interest 
in us.” 

But the Agra missionaries were very decidedly 
opposed to any such compromise of principle. They 
were in India under God to build up true Christian. 

488 


CHUECH DISCIPLINE, 


489 


churches, feeling that it was of supreme importance 
that their work should be genuine. If the exclusion 
of unworthy members, even to the loss of half or all 
the number of their reported converts, was necessary, 
they were confident they could trust their Divine 
Master with the consequent impressions among the 
supporters of the mission. 

In the village of Saringpoor, twenty-three miles 
south of Agra, had been gathered a church of sixty 
members. From its organization it had been chiefly 
under the supervision of Mr. Fowler. Yet he had 
been so absorbed with his schoolroom duties as not 
to visit Saringpoor more than once a year, and then 
in such a hurried, superficial manner as to secure very 
little acquaintance and do very little good. 

There were rumors of Sabbath-breaking, and child- 
hood marriages, and idolatries, but the native pastor 
who had been three years under the instruction of the 
Agra missionaries, and retained the perfect confidence 
of them all, denied the truth of these disquieting 
reports, and furnished many grounds for reassur- 
ances. 

But one excessively warm day, Chandur Ghulam 
called at the mission, wearing his garments loosely, 
and, to his utter confusion, Mrs. Litchfield discovered 
a large brass cross hanging to a chain around his 
neck. 

He denied that he had become a Roman Catholic, 
but the manner of the denial was equal to a con- 
fession, and that same evening tlie missionaries 
decided in conference that Mr. Litchfield and the 


490 


SELF-GIVING, 


Agra native pastor sliould spend the following Sun- 
day in Saringpoor. 

The situation was found to more than justify the 
rumors. Under the personal and financial influence 
of one of the Italian Catholic missionaries of Agra, 
the native pastor, Chandur Ghulam, had thoroughly 
apostatized. All but five of the members had 
accepted his leadership, at least for the present. 
These five, of whom four were women, had, under 
various pretexts, been kept from going to Agra, or 
from communicating with their missionaries. 

Many of the heathen of Saringpoor had been 
induced to compromise by the priest of Rome. They 
had fought as faithful Hindus against the evangelical 
truth, but when it was promised them that they 
might continue to worship all their idols if they 
would call them Jesus and Mary instead of Vishnu 
and Kali, and that they might put their large image 
of Kali in the Christian chapel — so much better a 
building than their old temple — there was a very 
general rally of all Brahmans and people to the 
new religion. 

Under the influence of Mr. Litchfield’s presence, 
several of the leaders among the former converts 
promised to return to their duty, if he would pass 
everything as excused. But he assured them that 
this would be quite impossible in loyalty to the cause 
of Christ in India. He could no longer recognize 
others than the five faithful ones as constituting the 
Saringpoor church. All the others must be excluded, 
to be restored only upon repentance and a probation 


CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 


491 


long enough to test the genuineness of their recon- 
version. 

“ If,” said he, “ we could only have known of the 
first of your apostatizing, your Sabbath-breaking, 
your immoralities, your idolatries, and then had 
prompt church-discipline exercised, this great scandal 
to the cause of Christ throughout all India, might 
have been avoided.” 

Probably Mr. Litchfield should not have proceeded 
farther than this faithful protest and instruction and 
ecclesiastical counsel or action. But that image of 
Kali in the chapel was extremely exasperating. There 
it stood in all its indescribable hideousness, close to 
his side, as he explained to all the villagers who were 
present, the principles of a Christian church and the 
necessity of faithful discipline, as well as of faithful 
ingathering. 

On the impulse of the moment, forgetful that the 
villagers had built the chapel at their own expense, 
and considered it their own property, he caught up 
the image of Kali in his arms, and started for the 
door, saying : 

“I will place it outside, and those of you who own 
the idol, may take it away.” 

At this, as at a signal for which many were waiting, 
fully prepared, an angry shout arose, and many stones 
were hurled at the missionary, the Agra native pastor, 
and at the only loyal male member of the Saring- 
poor church. The two latter sprang in front of Mr. 
Litchfield, ready to sacrifice their lives for his, shout- 
ing to the mob of apostates and Romanized Hindus: 


492 


SELF-GIVING. 


- “ Kill us, but not your best earthly friend ! ” 

“We may die, but the true God lives and will 
judge you ! ” 

“ May God forgive you ; you know not what you 
do!” 

First, Saroop Singh fell, his head crushed by a stone 
larger than his fist, and in a moment after, the Sar- 
ingpoor brother sank, with the word “ forgive ” upon 
his lips. 

What could the unarmed missionary do in the pres- 
ence of the mob made up of such elements as had trai- 
torously and with tiger-like ferocity slain hundreds of 
English men, women and children in the mutiny 
twenty-three years before, and were now organized 
for his death by Jesuitical cunning and Brahminical 
hate ? 

He could only fold his arms, look up to Heaven 
and wait God’s will. 

Not strange that he thought of Stephen’s martyrdom. 
Not strange that as Stephen, “ he saw the glory of 
God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” 

He thought it was death, and with the language of 
the proto-martyr still upon his lips, exclaimed : 

“ Lord Jesus, receive my spirit ! ” 

And again, kneeling down, “ Lord, lay not this sin 
to their charge I ” 

In an instant, beneath a shower of stones, his Iiead 
fell over upon the breast of the dead Agra pastor, and 
the mob thought that the missionary also was dead. 
The murders accomplished, a sudden panic seized the 
maddened crowd, and in a few moments they had 


CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 


493 


scattered, leaving the chapel occupied only by the two -- 
corpses, the mangled and unconscious missionary, 
and by piles of stone, and broken benches, and win- 
dows, and doors. 

Hours passed and night drew on, but none of the 
villagers reentered the chapel. The cold, damp air 
revived Mr Litchfield, but he could neither move nor 
speak. He could only wait until it seemed almost 
morning, yet it was only midnight. 

Then crept in stealthily the four faithful women 
converts, hardly repressing their joy on finding the 
missionary alive. One turned quickly and put her 
hand on the heart of her dead husband. Quietly they 
unfolded one of their shawls, placed Mr. Litchfield 
upon it, then, each at a corner, carried him through a 
side street out from the village seven miles, to the 
brethren of another church. Thence stronger arms 
bore him to his Agra home, where he was to await 
the carrying of angels’ hands to another. 


CHAPTER LIII. 


SHOWING THE WORK TO AMERICAN TRAVELLERS. 


HOUGH Mr. Litchfield partially rallied, his 


vigorous constitution had received a blow from 
which it could never recover. There were serious 
internal injuries, wliich were complicated by the gen- 
eral nervous prostration and by those several hours 
of night exposure after his body had been over- 
heated by work and excitement. He had had his 
last tour among the villages, and though he was 
taken in the mission-carriage a few times to appoint- 
ments in the city, and occasionally carried in a sedan- 
chair to the different buildings upon the compound, 
it was painfully evident that the little service he 
could yet be to the cause must be from the invalid 
chair in his own home. 

Miss Kilburne’s return at this time was very provi- 
dential, and yet the condition of her eyes made it 
unwise, if not impossible, to be as efficient as she 
desired in the emergency. There was her own unfin- 
ished book, as also Mr. Litchfield’s un revised manu- 
script. Each had become responsible for a considera- 
ble portion of Scripture in the new Hindi version, 
and much remained to be done upon the new song- 



494 


SHOWING THE WOBK. 


496 


book which the}^ had been assisting Mrs. Litchfield to 
prepare. 

To both, the Litchfield children were very helpful 
in this extremity and pressure. They could read 
Hindi fluently, and really knew better than either 
their father or ‘‘aunt Margaret” how to express sim- 
ple thoughts in language the most idiomatic and 
intelligible to the natives. Every day their young 
eyes saved hours of labor and pain to the one who 
was hastening to close his service in this world, and 

to the other who knew that in a little while the dav 

1/ 

would be to her as dark as night. 

It was December, 1880, and the foreign travelling- 
season had begun. Every day the Agra hotel was 
receiving guests from England, Europe, and espe- 
cially from America. Not one in a thousand of them 
would think of the important mission-enterprise, 
sending forth its inestimable influences from within 
sight of the Taj to one hundred millions of Hindi- 
speaking populations. 

What was the duty of the missionaries toward 
these travellers, the majority of whom command so 
much influence in the home lands ? Their custom 
had been to seek them by personal interviews and 
formal invitations, even to have every winter a no- 
tice and welcome hung up in the hotel and at the 
railway-station, and thus God enabled them to con- 
vert many travellers to a genuine and practical inter- 
est in the mission-cause. That there might be no mis- 
understanding of their motives, the printed notice 
contained the assurance that no contributions were 


496 


BELF-GIVING. 


solicited, bat only from one to three hours of per- 
sonal investigation, that the travellers might carry to 
tlieir distant liomes reliable information with regard to 
the methods and results of foreign mission-work. 

“ I cannot consent to abandon this important feature 
of our work this winter,” bravely replied Mr. Litch- 
field to all the objections raised. ‘‘For the sake of 
the glorious cause, I would like one more campaign 
on this line before I am mustered out.” 

“ And,” added Miss Kilburne, “ it is so delightful 
to see the impressions made, the interest awakened, 
the prejudices removed, the intelligence acquired. 
It is such a privilege to see with one’s own eyes ; 
but I cannot many winters more, and so I will 
work doubly hard, that we may hold on to the old 
plan God has so richly blessed.” 

The first one after this to accept their invitation 
troubled them exceedingly by his strange perver- 
sity and blundering, but not at all discouraged, these 
brave soldiers of the Cross “ picked their flints ” and 
tried again. 

The guest, a prominent citizen of St. Louis, was- 
invited to remain to evening dinner. As he remem- 
bered he could call for food at the hotel until ten 
o’clock, to supplement the humble, half-starvation fare 
as he imagined, of the missionary table, he accepted. 

The kitchen telegraph communicated the intelli- 
Cfence to all the mission-families. INIrs. Fowler 
roasted a chicken. Mrs. Wightman made one of 
her delicious puddings. Miss Kilburne rushed to 
the bazaar and selected a generous assortment of 


SHOWING THE WORK, 


497 


fruits and nuts. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey, wlio had 
the only ice-house among the mission’s friends, sent 
over tliree quarts of ice-cream, one each of vanilla, 
lemon, and chocolate. Mrs. Litchfield liad left from 
a little box, lately received, one pint can of salmon, 
and another of strawberries, and so withal the 
St. Louis gentleman had a dinner fit for a king, 
and he ought to have had perception enough to 
realize that his feast quite exhausted the hospitality 
of the whole mission, and emphasized for several 
days the question of economy in every family. 

But the stupid guest reported the next day at the 
liotel, and subsequently, as his hosts learned, in Cal- 
cutta and Bombay, and doubtless since throughout 
England and America, that missionaries are the most 
luxurious livers in all heathen lands, and that it is 
absurd to represent them as greatly sacrificing for 
the salvation of benighted souls. 

A prominent clergyman and his wife from New 
York, exhibited astonishing ignorance upon mission- 
subjects, as they were being conducted by Mrs. Litch- 
field and ]\Iiss Kilburne through the several depart- 
ments. They raised such questions as these : 

“ Do all the natives speak Sanscrit ? ” 

‘‘ Are there more Hindus than Buddhists in India ? ” 
‘‘ Have Missions extended into the south of this 
country ? ” 

“ Why do the English leave the evangelization of 
this land almost entirely to American Christians ? ” 

“ Did you ever hear of any German missionaries 
in Asia ? ” 


498 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ Have the natives any literature of their own ? ” 

‘‘ Has all the Bible yet been translated into the 
language of India ? ” 

‘‘ Are there many Mahometans here ? ” 

Yet this man was a Doctor of Divinity, famous as 
a “ star-preacher ” of the American metropolis, and 
thought he knew about all that it was necessary 
to know in order to guide his great church in the 
discharge of its responsibilities before God. 

“Well,” exclaimed a young Philadelphian as he 
adjusted his eyeglass before the hotel notice of the 
mission, “this is extraordinary. Folks will ask me 
about missions when I reach home, and some of 
them will corner me, for I have taken no pains to 
see anything of them thus far in Japan, and China, 
and Java. A man cannot see what he wdll not look 
at.” 

The missionaries found him candid and inquiring, 
and they enabled him to leave Agra a friend of the 
cause, promising to cooperate through his own society 
to the full extent of his ability through life. 

Two young people from Newark were on their 
wedding tour around the globe. Both had inherited 
property which was well invested, had buried their 
parents, were Christians, and as yet were unsettled 
in their plan of life. But soon they became thoroughly 
interested in the Agra mission. As they saw the 
great responsibilities being carried, and particularly 
how soon Mr. Litchfield would be at rest, and Miss 
Kilburne blind, they announced their prayerful and 
thoughtful agreement to stay as missionaries at their 


SHOWING THE WORK. 


499 


own expense, if all tlie other mission aiies desired it, 
and on the latter’s representations the Home Board 
would give them an appointment. It was evidently 
providential, and when Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hay- 
ward were fully installed, the way upward seemed 
more welcome to Llewellyn, and the way onward 
brighter to Margaret. 

One afternoon a Rev. Mr. Seaman, wife and son 
came over from the hotel to see what interested them 
more than the Taj and the palatial fort. They were 
from Hartford, leisurely touring the world, and re- 
mained a week in Agra. Each day they spent several 
hours with the missionaries at their work, becom- 
ing very familiar with each department. With Miss 
Kilburne they journeyed two days among the neigh- 
boring villages. Through interpreters, Mr. Seaman 
addressed the theological students several times ; 
once a general meeting of the native Christians, and 
three times large gatherings of orderly, attentive 
heathen. Mrs. Seaman became acquainted with the 
Bible-women, went with them to many Christian 
homes and Hindu zenanas, and talked and prayed 
beside many of the hospital-cots. And the boy 
helped to make the children and others ver}^ happy. 

‘‘ Thank God, for the coming of all of you ! ” said 
Cleora. 

‘‘Almost as good to us as a vacation at home,” 
added Margaret. 

And Llewellyn said in his good-by, “What you 
have done for us and ours in Agra has paid for all 
your time and expense around the world.” 


CHAPTER LIV. 


CASHMERE AHD THE HIMALAYAS. 

A ll were mistaken who expected to find at the 
Litchfields a sad home, or a perpetual shadow 
in the companionship of Miss Kilburne. The future 
had not been selected by them, but by One in whose 
love and wisdom they had perfect confidence. As 
their own plans were crossed by the plans of God, 
there was surprise, but no dismay; tears, but no bit- 
terness ; the eclipse of some bright sunbeams, but the 
dawn of many others. 

To make the passing months the sweetest and 
most cheerful of their lives ; to have them remem- 
bered by their children as unusually happy, and to 
illustrate before both Christian and heathen natives 
the thoroughly reconciling and heart-uplifting power 
of Divine grace, was the pra}'erful, painstaking 
endeavor of both Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield. And 
Margaret felt, and desired that all others around 
her should appreciate she so felt, that the spiritual 
vision God gives his believing children is infinitely 
more important than natural vision ; that the light 
she was losing was of comparatively small conse- 
quence to that she was gaining from the truth and 

500 


CASmiEBE AND TEE EIMALAYAS. 


601 


spirit of Christ ; and that while she saw with 
increased difficulty the beauties and deformities of 
earth, she beheld with greater clearness every day 
glories that can never fade away. 

General Rhodes was at this time in command of 
the fort, and Doctor Hazard still the resident phy- 
sician. Both were frequently callers at the mission, 
and preferred the social life they found there to 
tlie families of the merchants and of those in the 
civil service. 

As one afternoon they were smoking in the ‘‘ Jas- 
mine Bower ” of Akbar’s fortified palace, looking 
through the marble window at the Taj, the General 
exclaimed : 

“ Is it possible, Doctor, that our friend Litchfield 
must go? 1 know he is not as strong as before 
that mob, but I supposed him good for years yet.” 
O, no ! They insisted upon perfect frankness, 
and I told them months aofo, he could not hans^ on 
more tlian a year, and that it would be impossible 
to pull through this summer without a journey to the 
mountains.” 

“ Extraordinary, then, their cheerfulness. Have 
enjoyed of late visiting them more than ever. They 
keep up with all the news from England, and she can 
sing like a bird. Fact is, they are brave. His 
missionarying has spoiled a good soldier.” 

It is more than bravery. General. You know I 
am not much on piety, but I cannot explain, on 
natural principles, how my announcement of speedy 
death should make everything at that home as if 


502 


SELF-GIVING. 


there was going to be a wedding, and not a funeral.” 

“ My old mother in England would say, I suppose, 
that there is going to be a wedding.” 

“ Well, General, I liave almost forgotten what that 
kind of language means as applied to the anatomy 
and pathology of the unseen, but if tlie Litchfields’ 
belief is a delusion, it is very practical. I would give 
a thousand pounds to be under the delightful 
liallucination.” 

“ So would I. But, Doctor, I have an idea. My 
brother is British resident at Sreenuggur, capital of 
Cashmere. He is younger than I am, and ought to 
be 2)ious. A large house, and nobody but his wife. 
I will write him to invite the Litchfields for the 
summer. He is down on missionaries, but I will tell 
him these have not been spoiled at all. I will be fair 
and explain the situation, 3’et assure him that he will 
have a good time with them up to the last day. 
Extraordinary ! Very ! ” 

Accordingly in two weeks it was arranged. Miss 
Kilburne came over from the hospital to take charge 
of the house and the children. The parting looks 
were a little more earnest. Some of the smiles 
lingered a little awkwardly upon the faces. That last 
morning-prayer was very brief, and Cleora suggested 
that there would hardly be time for the usual singing. 
But it was ail the weakness of the flesh. The 
spirit of both parents Avas strong, God’s strength 
proving equal to the day. They were happy, grace 
being sufficient. 

They broke journej^at Meerut, Lahore and Jhelum. 


CASIUIEBE AND THE HIMALAYAS. 


503 


At Meerut, where occurred the first outbreak of the 
mutiny, a great religious fair was in progress, and 
missionaries were toiling to improve the opportunity. 

Passing through Umritsur, the commarcial capital 
of the Punjab and the religious centre of tlie Sikhism, 
they could see the magnificent marble temple, with 
its gilded cupolas, where is enshrined the Grunth, or 
sacred book of tlie Sikhs. But missionaries who met 
them at the station, are building more enduring mon- 
nments than of Runjeet Singh. 

Two days were enjoyed at Lahore, the political 
capital of tlie Punjab, as guests of the missionary in 
charge of the Divinity School. Though a majority 
around them were Moslems and Sikhs, with many 
they could still converse in Hindi, though they found 
their less familiar Hindustani the more useful. 

As Mr. Litchfield talked with some of the Sikhs, 
and saw how strongly they protested against both the 
idolatry of the Hindus and the rigid monotheism of 
Islam, he felt that, notwithstanding the inferiority of 
their Grunth to the Vedas and the Koran, as much 
might yet be expected from this people in conquering 
India for Christ, as in holding it for Great Britain. 

Ever since reaching Saharunpoor, a day from Agra, 
they had been in sight of the Himalayas, and had 
felt the cool and invigorating influence of their 
eternal snows. But now they entered into the em- 
brace of these most gigantic of earth’s mountains, and 
found in the famous Valley of Cashmere, not an Arc- 
tic welcome, but the utmost comfort and exhilaration 
and beauty. 


504 


SELF-GIVING. 


From the Residency at Sreennggur, they could 
see over all of tlie fertile and charming valley, one 
liundred miles by seventy ; in truth, an earthly para- 
dise, full of treasures natural and artistic ; the climate 
perfect, and the almost matchless picture set in a 
framework of dazzling white. 

With their hosts and the English missionaries, the 
Litchfields visited several of the artistic and historical 
points of interest scattered over the beautiful plain. 
Almost always there were travellers or fugitives from 
tlie hot, dusty plains of India to join them, yet inva- 
riably Llewell}^! and Cleora were the centre of the 
social circle, the oracles of the most intelligence, the 
leading interpreters of nature and art, and the most 
cheerful, racy conversationalists upon the sense and 
nonsense of the day. 

The excursion which was most enjoyed by the 
Agra missionaries, was to Marttand, five miles beyond 
the ancient capital of Islamabad. It was not that its 
temple ruin is the architectural gem of Cashmere, not 
that by many tourists it has been compared for beauty 
and magnificence to Palmyra and Thebes, nor 3’et 
that its position upon an elevated plateau is unsur- 
passed in all the valley ; but because of all known 
buildings throughout the world, this most nearly re- 
produced the plan of the temple at Jerusalem. 

% 

Mr. Litchfield became quite interested over the 
Cashmere ‘‘ Raja Tarangini,” the only existing Indian 
history, seeking to discover to what deity this temple 
was dedicated. Many pleasant hours he passed also 
investigating the strange architectural aflSnities around 


CASUMEBE AND THE UUIALAYAS, 


505 


him, with Greece on the one hand and with Cambodia 
on the other. 

But September had come, and the time when it 
would be safe for the return to Agra. They had 
spent the summer as if years were before them. 
There had been much thought, and prayer, and 
private conversation about Llewellyn’s last journey 
so soon, but generally life moved on as if only they 
were enjoying a much needed rest. 

,For several days before starting on the return tliey 
cheerfully gave all their little strength to the decorat- 
ing of the home of their host for the approaching 
birtliday party of his wife. 

Only once Cleora whispered : 

“ The angels are thus, Llewellyn, making beautiful 
your home in heaven ; and their flowers will never 
fade.” 

During the eve of departure. Colonel Rliodes and 
several gentlemen of the Residency staff formally 
pledged themselves, in grateful recognition of religious 
impressions received, to erect a Litchfield Memorial 
Chapel in Sreenuggur, and to endow a native pasto- 
rate. 

“ And,” added the Colonel, “ may he preach the 
religion which you live ! ” 


CHAPTER LV. 


FROM AGRA TO GLORY. 

D octor I-IAZARD advised Mr. Litchfield, upon 
liis return to Agra, to disengage himself 
as much as possible from the care of the mission, 
and to take all the out-door exercise his strength 
Avould allow. Arrangements were therefore made for 
excursim^s from the city every week, sometimes to 
the village-stations, but more frequently to Secundra 
and Futtehpore Sikri, to enjoy the magnificent archi- 
tecture of the great Mogul, Akbar. 

To the latter, an enormous cluster of elaborately 
ornamented palaces and pavilions and colonnades, he 
went but a few times, as its distance required a night 
from home. There he pitched his tent, either in the 
Dewani-Khas, throne-room, or under one of three beau- 
tifully-carved pavilions of Akbar’s favorite sultanas. 

His interest in the Futtehpore Sikri mosque, par- 
ticularly in its magnificent southern gateway, and 
the solution there by Saracenic architects of a problem 
Greeks and Goths tried in vain to master, enabled 
Llewellyn to contribute to the literature of art two 
exceedingly valuable monographs. Upon them, his 
Alma Mater the following spring would gladly have 

506 


FBOJ\I AGIiA-TO GLORY. 


507 


given him a title, but then he was where religious 
honors do not tardily wait for a comparatively tri- 
fliim secular merit or avail abili tv. 

O o 

More frequently Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield, and the 
children, who now always accompanied them, were 
able to visit Secundra and the neighboring Orj^han- 
age and Christian village. It was only a pleasant 
hour’s drive out in the morning, and the early even- 
ing returns were delightful. The garden of Akbar’s 
tomb, still preserved, though less perfectly than that 
of the Taj, and the terraces and arches of the royal 
mausoleum furnished retreats for rest and recreation. 

For the father it was fatigf’uinof to ascend to the 
pavilions of the upper stories, and especially to the 
crowning marble cloister, but it was always cool and 
pleasant there, and the children loved to climb, and 
he did his best to please them. 

Under the cypresses and other evergreens of the 
Taj, and at the mausoleum of Elmad-ood Doulah, Mr. 
Litchfield corrected the final proof sheets of his work 
on The Evidences of Christianity, and also of his por- 
tion of the Hindi Scripture revision, being the 
Epistles to the Romans and the Hebrews. 

At the annual gathering of the mission in Xovem- 
ber, 1881, the attendance was very geaieral. A thou- 
sand converts and fifty native pastors participated 
in the communion service, at which IMr. Litchfield 
presided. There were too many for the chapel, and 
the delightful service had to be in the open air, in 
the cool of the evening. It was the last time that the 
missionary left his room. 


508 


SELF-GIVING. 


i 


But there he met the fifteen young men of the 
theological school, and urged them to count all 
things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of 
Clirist Jesus their Lord, and to press toward the 
mark for tlie prize of their high calling of God. Then 
he dismissed them, with a present to each of the new 
Hindi Testament, with these words marked: 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, 
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are 
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things 
are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if 
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think 
on these things.” 

All the missionaries of the station had several con- 
ferences around his bedside. Upon them he urged 
loyalty to the executive officers of their Mission- 
Society, unity in all their plans and operations, 
prayerful caution in all correspondence, and far 
greater care for genuine than for large results. 

‘‘ Miss Kilburne, I want you to stay a little while 
this evening,” he said, as the missionaries were going 
out from their last interview. ‘^You have been a 
true sister to Cleora and to me, and what could my 
children have done without you? Under God, you 
have toiled n"^)ly and successfully for the cause in 
India. Yet I am confident that Christ through your 
blind e}'es will gain many more rich trophies from 
among this people. ‘ Tiiou therefore endure hard- 
ness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.’ ” 

“ M}" children,” he added one evening, as they came 
in to kiss him good-night before their early retiring, 


FROM AGRA TO GLORY. 


509 


you have lived most twelve years, and you have 
always thouglit that papa loved you just as much out of 
your sight as now. And that is the way God loves us ; 
the same when we do not see him as when he is plainly 
present. In a little while you may feel very lone- 
some, but try to tliink of Jesus as in the other room. 
Present or absent from you, always, if you will let 
him, he will be a better friend to you than mamma, or 
papa, or aunt Margaret.” 

“ Darling wife, we are all alone now. How beauti- 
ful this day lias been ! I have felt unusually well.” 
“But you have been doing so much, Llewellyn 
dear, that I am feeling very anxious.” 

“Let me see your picture in the album — that one 
taken the day before we were married. You were 
a beautiful bride ; but you are more beautiful now. 

“ O, I forgot to tell }"Ou, Cleora, that when I went 
to the Taj the week before communion, I pencilled on 
our monument my name, and under it in English and 
Hindi and Hindustani — ‘A sinner saved by Jesus 
Christ.’ You can have the date put on, and all 
chiselled in. The wind is very strong to-niglit; are 
3^11 sure that the children are out of the draught? 

“ There, let me take your hand, Cleora. I have 
much to say to you. Where shall I begin ? But 
I am so tired; perhaps I better wait till morning.” 
But when morning came, he was not there. Un- 
known to wife or an^", and probably also to himself, 
he was carried to the spirit-land and awoke among 
the blest. 


CHAPTER LVI. 


FAMINE AND PESTILENCE. 


N two respects, man can see a silver lining to the 
-L terribly dark clouds whicli of late years have 
liiing over vast populations in Asia. When hunger 
and contagions diseases have swept away hundreds 
of thousands, and even millions in a few months, 
governments, in tlie light of the nineteenth century, 
have been prompted to undertake vast enterprises to 
alleviate present misery and to prevent the recurrence 
of the calamities. And then, also, the grandest possi- 
ble opportunities have been furnished to teach the 
heathen world the lessons of Christian philanthropy. 

Thus in 1877-78, in the land of the Teliigus of 
Southeastern India, six million died, but the Bucking- 
ham canal was constructed, and the almost unequalled 
charities of Christian England and America swept 
away mountains of Hindu suspicion and hostilitju 
A few months later, and over the densely populated 
provinces of Shan-si, Shen-si, Chi-li and Shan-tung, 
in North China, similar blessings have followed in 
the train of still greater loss of life ; and, likewise the 
succeeding year among the present more scattered 
populations of ancient Assyria and Armenia. 

510 


FAMINE AND PESTILENCE. 


511 


The summer of 1882 was a fearful one for the dis- 
trict of Agra, Delhi, and Jaipoor. Neither of the last 
two monsoons had brought any rain. The farm wells 
had been dry for several months, so that there could 
be no irrigation except along the river banks. Mil- 
lions were living chiefly upon roots and leaves ; and 
to render the situation still more dreadful, there was 
not only a large increase of disease, such as would 
naturally arise among a starving population, but chol- 
era had broken out, first in Futtigurh, then in Allv- 
gurh, and finally in Agra, for which the epidemic 
seemed to have reserved its utmost fury. 

There had been a general flight of all the European 
residents. The missionaries alone remained. The 
garrison of the fort was reduced to the lowest practi- 
cable number, and all communication with the city 
was closed quite as effectually as if there had been 
an investment by rebellious sepoys. 

All the ordinary work of the mission had to give 
j^lace to the conflict with the new enemies, before whom 
tliousands were daily falling. Wliile the cholera was 
at its height, even the industrial departments were 
closed, although during the rest of the time they 
were overcrowded by Christians, anxious for work 
enough to keep body and soul together. • 

In tlie division of labor arranged, Mrs. Litchfield 
and Miss Kilburne had charge of the famine-relief 
and medical work upon the mission premises, where, 
it was the general effort to concentrate all that could 
be done for their Christian adherents in the vicinity. 
This left Messrs. Fowler, Wightman, Arlington and 


512 


SELF-GIVING, 


Havward, and their wives, to enofanfe in the far larcrer 
work tlirougliout the city and the suiTOUiiding coun- 
try, ii I to wliich frequent excursions were necessary. 

The Indian government forwarded large quantities 
of food and medicine to the afflicted district, but so 
great was the demand that Cleora drew upon lier 
own funds for a year in advance, and applications had 
to be made for benevolent contributions both from 
England and from America. The responses were 
generous and prompt. 

Mrs. Litchfield’s dwelling became a storehouse, 
from which daily rations were issued to between three 
and five thousand people. She had ordered a thou- 
sand buckets from Calcutta and Bombay, and all re- 
ceiving help, who were able, were required to do soihe 
labor in brinorinor water from the river. Thus the 

o o 

mission grounds were kept well irrigated, and the 
grass and foliage were preserved, furnishing a most 
welcome retreat for the sick and suffering from the 
surrounding desert. The children she sent with 
Hu chi to Allahabad. 

For hospital purposes. Miss Kilburne was compelled 
to use also the school-building and the chapel. Tlie 
floors were covered with the sick and the flying. 
Others had to be eyes for her in the examinations and 
in the making up of prescriptions, but her general 
liealth was perfect, and there was no breaking under 
sixteen hours’ work a day. 

For the second time seed-grain had to be distrib- 
uted, as the rot and the locusts destroyed the first 
sowing,- even as previously among the Telugus. 


FAMINE AND PESTILENCE, 


513 


Very remarkable was the effect upon the native 
mind of all this Christian heroism and' sacrifice. 
That government should dispeuse charity with a lib- 
eral hand was understood; ‘‘ For/’ said Hindus and 
Moslems, ‘‘if the English do not save our lives, of 
what good is the country to them? Government re- 
lief pays well.” 

But that American missionaries should voluntarily 
brave death to save the lives not only of converts, 
but of those they know hate them ami their religion 
alike, and that those who could have no selfish 
motive in view, should send hundreds of thousamhs of 
rupees of relief money, this was extraordinary and 
inexplicable. Such motives were unknown to their 
religions. There must be a power in Christianity 
that is from the true God. 

Especially the calm, unterrified, and cheerful labor 
of the missionaries ; it was more than courage, more 
than self-mastery, more than ambition to do a meri- 
torious act. Thousands gave up their idols, some 
even their faith in the Koran. Though not until all 
danger was past were converts enrolled, hundreds 
then sought to be recognized as followers of Christ ; 
and before the close of the year, tlie ranks of the mis- 
sion had doubled, with no signs of lessening of enlist- 
ments. In one season the missionaries had done years 
of labor. 

Doctor Hazard, who under their example had re- 
turned to his work, was reconverted and accepted 
appointment as missionary physician ; and General 
Rhodes also participated in the Pentecostal blessing. 


CHAPTER EVIL 


THE BURIAL AT SEA. 

F rom the exhaustion of the summer Mrs. Litch- 
field did not rally in the autumn. She had 
escaped the epidemic, through which she had labored 
so efficiently, and no particular disease seemed to 
have fastened upon lier ; but there was almost 
complete physical prostration. She could neither 
eat nor sleep. She was all worn out. 

An immediate voyage at sea 'was earnestly advised 
by Doctor Hazard, by Miss Kilburne, and by all the 
other missionaries. And providentially there was a 
ship at Calcutta, with cabin and stateroom accommo- 
dations fully equal to those of steamers, which was to 
make a round voyage of six weeks to Penang, Singa- 
pore, and Batavia. 

It was arranged that Margaret and Huchi should 
accompany her, the children being kept during her 
absence at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey. 
Huchi was to be hands and feet for Cleora, and 
eyes for Margaret. 

The native preachers begged to carry Mrs. Litch- 
field in a sedan-chair to the station. They said that 
it would be easier than the wagon. And as thus the 


514 


THE BJiniAE AT SEA. 


515 


exhausted missionary was borne fortli, she found 
Jiundreds of Christian women and ciiildren lining 
the path from the dwelling to the gate, singing — 

In the sweet by and by, 

We shall meet on that beautiful shore. 

The men had gathered in equal numbers beyond 
the railway station, along the track for a great dis- 
tance. They stood in perfect silence as the train 
passed. Not more than half of them were Christians. 
Many were prominent Hindus and Moslems of the 
city, into whose zenanas and harems Cleora and 
Margaret had brought all the light that had ever 
entered. Outside, Doctor Hazard had freely said, 
it was doubtful whether the widowed missionary 
could ever return, and the gratitude of all classes 
for so many inestimable services, seized the oppor- 
tunity for expression. 

At Allahabad, where connection was made with 
the through-line from Bombay to, Calcutta, a rail- 
way official gave notice to the ladies that the direct- 
or’s drawino'-room carriasfe was in waitino* for them 
by arrangement with General Rhodes of Agra. 

At the American Mission Home in Calcutta, every- 
thing possible was done by loving hearts and ready 
hands to make their guests comfortable, and to 
cheer one on the way to health or heaven. iMis- 
sionaries, merchants, and civil and military officers 
called in large numbers, but Cleora was too much 
exhausted by the long ride to see them. Margaret 


51G 


SELF-GIVING, 


met tliem all ; she could not now see well enough to 
recognize countenances. 

Accompanied by the United States Consul-General, 
the Viceroy called ; and as it was so signal a recog- 
nition of missionary services, and would help the 
cause throughout Iinlia, Mrs. Litchfield joined Miss 
Kilburne in the parlor to receive him. 

“Ladies,” lie said, “ what the names of Florence 
Nightingale and Howard and Wilberforce are to Great 
Britain, }^our names, and those of your Agra associ- 
ates, will be to India.” 

“We much prefer, your Excellency,” replied Cleora, 
“ to be ourselves forgotten, and have Christ remem- 
bered among these Hindu and Moslem millions.” 

As the voyagers climbed the stairs from the little 
boat at the side of the ship, Margaret slipped a step 
because of her blindness, and Cleora, who was close 
behind, caught and saved lier from falling into the 
water. 

The exertion was too much for the invalid, and she 
liad scarcely reached her stateroom before she began 
to raise blood. 

Although the hemorrhage was very severe, Mar- 
garet was successful in stopping it. But Cleora saw 
that the blind eyes were full of tears, and said in a 
whisper : 

“It is all right, Margaret. Any little thing would 
have brought this on. Not you, but a signal from the 
home Jesus has prepared for me, and where Llewellyn 
is waiting.” 

The voyage did no good. The beautiful island of 


THE BURIAL AT SEA, 


617 


Penang delighted her eyes with its vegetation, and 
soothed her with the music of its waterfalls, but could 
not call back tlie strength that had been given to 
thousands, nor close the ruptured arteries which al- 
most daily lost her somewhat of hold on earthly life. 

The ship returned, and they were one day out from 
land. Huchi awoke Marg^aret with a word from 

O 

Cleora. 

“ Sister dear,” she whispered, as Margaret knelt by 
her side, “ Llewellyn has come for me. Jesus has told 
him that lie need not wait aii}^ longer. 1 give the 
children to you. They want to be missionaries. May 
God help you to advise them rightly.” 

A moment she rested, and then in feebler whispers 
continued : 

“ Tell the darlings that mamma is perfectly happy. 
Tell them — O Llewellyn, it is you! How bright 
your crown I How beautiful your robe ! They are 
singing. O Cleora, darling I you too? Yes. Beau- 
tiful child — dazzling white ! Jesus I Chiefest — 
ten thousand — altogether — lovely 1 ” 

Margaret knew that Cleora was gone. Huchi said 
there lingered a beautiful smile, and Margaret tried 
^to feel it with her hand. 

And still they were six days from Calcutta : only a 
ship ; no ice. The captain said there was but one 
way. They wrapped her in several white linen sheets, 
with a hundred pounds of lead. The English Church 
burial service was read by the captain. Gently the 
body was lowered to the surface of the waters, and 
then they received it. 


CHAPTER LVIII. 


A PART OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION. 

O N reaching Calcutta, Margaret and Huchi took 
the train immediately for Agra. 

Margaret felt that she should be the one to break 
the news to the fatherless and now motherless chil- 
dren. 

She drove directly from the station to the Lindseys 
but learned there that Miriam had taken her wards 
to the Taj. 

Hastening thither, she found them playing with 
the echoes under the great dome. 

Margie first caught sight of her aunt, and rushed 
to meet her, exclaiming : 

“ O aunt Margaret ! and is mamma here too ? ” 

— “ mamma here too.’^ 

And at the same moment Juddie asked eagerly: 


“ Is she well and happy ? ” 

— “ well and happy.” 

Huchi motioned Miriam to accompany her, that 
the children might be alone with Margaret. 


518 


A PART OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION. 


519 


“ The echoes answer your questions, darlings, truly. But I have 
a long ami beautiful story to tell you. Let us go first outside these 
walls to the pleasant little yard, where the bodies of your papa and 
sister are resting until the resurrection.” 

— “ ’till the resurrection.’* 

“ Juddie, you take one hand ; and Margie, you take the other ; 
and I will be safe in the dark.” 

— safe in the dark.’* 

‘‘ There, auntie, that is mamma’s seat close to the 
head of papa’s grave. You take it, and Margie and 
I will sit down on the grass.” 

If mamma is at home, I want to go right off to 
see her,” said Margie impatientl3\ 

She is at home, darlings, but in the beautiful 
home with Jesus, and your papa, and your sister.” 

Fur a moment their lips quivered, as tlieir eyes 
filled with tears ; then they buried their faces in the 
grass-covered mound of him they loved so well. 

Margaret waited for God to whisper his own com- 
fort. She knew that they were Christians, and that 
Christ had promised not to leave them comfortless. 

Then, too, perliaps in the ministry of angels at tliat 
moment the yearnings of parental hearts were being 
satisfied. 

“I do not feel sorry for mamma, auntie,” sobbed 
]\Iargie, breaking the silence. 

‘‘ God was good to let us have our mamma so long,” 
added Juddie. ‘‘Where shall we bury her, auntie ? 
On this side of papa?” 

“She is alreadv buried in the beautiful water, and 
is just as safe as here for God to raise up, that you 
may meet her and your papa again.” 


520 


SELF-GIVING. 


“ I would rather not go ’to meet her just yet,” 
said Margie, for mamma has many stars in her 
crown, and I have not any yet.” 

Yes, you have. But I haven’t,” replied Juddie. 

You read the Bible to Sundie and Tijjizan and 
Bholi, until all those women became Christians, 
and you have told about Jesus a great many 
times to Rani and Mona and Haidra and to many 
other girls.” 

‘‘But, Juddie,” protested the sister, “you helped 
mamma feed the starving people, except when we 
were away with Huchi. And Mookerjee told 3^011 
he would never more worship any idols, but only 
your God. And Kanban Singh asked }"ou why 
you fed him, and }^ou said " For Jesus’ sake ; ’ and 
when he joined the church he told them }^our words 
led him to Christ.” 

“I have not worked as hard as you, Margie, an}"- 
way. You did not give up asking Torina Datt and 
Parbutti to come to meeting for one whole year. 
What I have done has been only a little now and 
then, but I want to do more. Oh, if I could only 
be of half as much good to these Hindus as was 
papa, I would feel richer than an}^ Maharajah of 
India.” 

“And if I could do a few jenvs here as mamma has 
done,” continued Margie, I would not change places 
with Queen Victoria. I do not want to live aiw- 
where else than in Agra, until I can live in heaven.” 

Miss Kilburne sat listening, with her blind eyes 
full of tears. The resurrection of the self-giving mar- 


A PART OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION, 


521 


tyr-spirits of Llewellyn and Cleora was taking place 
before her. No need of lier counsel yet. The cluldren, 
leaning at her feet over the grassy mound, were 
liarkening obediently to the Still Small Voice. 

‘‘If I am to be a missionary as mamma was, I must 
be a great deal better Christian,” observed Margie. 

“It should be I to say that,” replied Juddie. 
“ Auntie, will you always live with us in Agra, and 
tell us how to work for Jesus? ” 

“ O, that will be beautiful, auntie ; will it not ? ” 
exelaimed the enthusiastic sister. “And I am 
really glad you cannot see, so that you can be with 
us and talk with us all the time. 

“ I will live with you, darlings, as long as God 
allows me ; and will try to do everything for you that 
3 "our papa and mamma would desire. But in a few 
years you should go to America to finish your 
education ” — 

“ And you go too, auntie ? ” interrupted both. 

. “Yes. To-morrow will be New Year’s Day, 1883. 
You are almost thirteen. I will try to teach you 
here until you are sixteen. Then I will arrange a 
home for you until you graduate, in Boston or New 
York.” 

“ I wish that was all over, and we were all back 
here again,” said Juddie. 

“ So do I,” added Margie. “ And do you believe, 
auntie, that papa and mamma know all that we have 
been saying ? ” 

“ O, yes, indeed ! And their happy spirits will 
watch you on this journey until its glorious end.” 


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» K.y. -■'•.>!■,. ■. 


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ally extensive tour of over fifty thousand miles, and who has been remarkably successful in 
newspaper correspondence with several leading journals of New England and Ohio, has 
written an accompanying volume, 12mo, 542 pages, full of personal experiences over many 
i lands and seas. In a peculiarly vivacious and attractive style she packs an immense amount 
of world-wide and fresh information, drawing also upon their previous tour of Europe, 
Egypt and the Holy Land. This thoroughly original and unique work is sure to be very 
popular, for it tells so much in the way people like to be told. It should be in every family 
j and in every secular and Sunday-school library. It is beautifully illustrated. 

D. LOTHROP & COMPANY, 


ROUND THE WORLD LETTERS. 

*• Vivid picture of adventures, stores of reliable information.” Providence 
Journal. 

“ Brilliant photograph: keen, intelligent, entertaining, fascinating.” — The Watch- 
man. Boston. 

“Sure to be very popular. Thoroughly unique and original.” — Maine Farmer. 
Augusta. 

“ Piquant and attractive style. No trace of padding from guide books.” — Republi- 
can Journal. Belfast, Maine. 

“A very readable and instructive book of travels. Read the hodk.^^ — Morning 
Star. Dover, N. H. 

” There is an aba7ido?i in the style of these racy letters that is captivating.” — Phil- 
adelphia Methodist , 

“More interesting than any — Soiitherii Churchtnan, Richmond, 

Va. 

“ Sure to receive, as it deserves, wide reading.” 

“ Bright, vivid and sensible.” — The Independetit. New York. 

“ Exceedingly racy and vivacious.” — Journal and Messenger. Cincinnati. 

“ Graphic description of strange sights and doings.” — Contributor. Boston. 

“ Quite original ; very entertaining.” Secreta>'y. Hartford. 

“ Very pleasant reading.” Presbyterian. Philadelphia. 

“ Singularly interesting.” Rt. Rev. Bishop Clark, D. D., LL. D. 

“Very graphic and readable. Admirable volume.” Presidetit Robinson. Brown 
U niv. 

“ A bright, chatty rhnme of travels.” Secy. Ellingwood. Presbyterian Board. 

“Always racy, and interesting.” President Strong, Sem. 

“Captures the reader; especially valuable ; should be in every family.” — Cleve- 
land Leader. 

“ Much information in an agreeable way. Vivacious and genial style.” — Chicago 
Evenmg Jour7ial. 

“Chatty and entertaining: pleasant glimpses out of beaten ~ Bostott 

A dvertiser. 

“ Familiar, free and easy sketches of travel: pleasant addition to literature.” — The 
Observer, New York. 

“ Novelty, variety and spice.” — Rural Ho77te. Rochester. 

“Exhilarating as a sea breeze in summer.” — The S. S. Superi7ttende7it. Provi- 
dence. 

“ Most vivid and interesting descriptions.”- Chronicle. London. 

“ Observations and experiences attractively told.” — The Advance. Chicago. 

“ Impressions recorded in a lively and attractive manner.” — Nevj York Herald. 

“ Entertaining and instructive.” — Gospel hi all La7ids. New York. 

“None can read without pleasure and profit.” — Preside7it Hovey. Newton 
Theo. Sem. 

“Pictures of a quick, and clear-sighted observ’er.” — Prof. Ba7icroft. Brown 
Univ. 

“Extremely instructive, by a keen and very intelligent student.” — President 
A7iderso7i. Rochester Univ. 


AROUND THE WORLD TOUR OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS. 


“The book is alive, descriptions vivid and delightful.” — Providence Journal. 

“Accurate information; interesting to read, of value for reference.” — Chicago 
Evening Journal. 

“The writer of this volume admirably fitted for the task undertaken.” — Maine 
Farmer. Augusta. 

“ Cyclopedia of information, doubtful if of equal value has appeared. Being 
republished in France.” — The Watchman. Boston. 

“ An important contribution to literature, golden treasury of facts.” — Religious 
Herald. Richmond, Va. 

“Mr. Bainbridge is observant, pleasant, and singularly fair-minded.” — Cleve- 
land Herald. 

“ We are intensely interested and greatly instructed,” — Watch Tower. New 
York. 

“ Has fascinating interest, and is full of cheer.” — Christian at Work. New York. 

“ Written from mission fields of all the world, rather than from the reports.” 
— Morning Star. Dover, N. H. 

“ The sketches of scenes are graphic ; the style thoroughly pleasing.” — Republican 
Journal. Belfast, Maine. 

“ Careful observations, interesting, and will be read with profit.” — Zion^ s Herald. 
Boston. 

“Its freshness and reliability commend it to all Christians.” — Philadelphia 
Methodist. 

“An elaborate volume, written under circumstances altogether favorable.” — The 
Observer. New York. 

“ Nothing like it in breadth of view, impartiality, and thoroughness.” — Western 
Christia?i A dvocate. Cincinnati. 

“High commendation for comprehensiveness and fairness.” — Mamtal, Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

“ Has received almost universal commendation.” — Christian Missionary. Cin- 
cinnati. * 

“ By its thoroughness, candor, and undenominational spirit, will win an extended 
influence.” — Sunday School Tunes. Philadelphia. 

“ An interesting addition to literature.” — New York World. 

“ Really valuable. We can speak very highly.” — The Churchman. New York. 

“Valuable; admirable.” — Miss. Review. Princeton. 

“ His Christianity suits us.” — American Rural Home. Rochester. 

“ Missionary Periodicals have been very favorable ; reason enough for their appro- 
bation.” — The Independent. New York. 

“We cannot too highly commend.” — Journal and MesseJiger. Cincinnati. 

“ Exceedingly interesting.” — Secretary. Hartford. 

“Uncommonly interesting and instructive.” — President Hovey. Newton Theo. 
Sem. 

“ Unequalled opportunities. Close, careful observer. Entertaining. Well worthy 
the wide circulation sure to have.” — President Robmson. Brown Univ. 

“Most heartily commend. All will be deeply interested.” — President Weston, 
Crozer, Theo. Sem. 

“ Invaluable work.” Rey. H. H. Jessup, D. D., Moderator of Presbvrerian 
Assembly. 


GROUND THE WORLD TOUR OP CHRISTIAN MISSIONS, 


“ Excellent. Judicial, tone pleasing.” — Preside7tt Strotig. Rochester Theo. Sem. 
“None can afford to be without it.” Rev. E. C. Taylor, D. D. Newark. 

English commend unanimously and heartily. ” — Baptist Missioftary Magazine. 
Boston. 

“ Marked ability, fairness, and fulness of knowledge. Hope published in England. 
Deserves wide circulation among us.” — Chtirch Intellige7icer. London. 

“ Shrewd pbserver; faithful critic; calm, judicious, and discriminating.” — Lo7idon 
Society Chro7iicle, 

“ Accurate, intelligent, fine spirit. Should be republished here.” — Free Church cff 
Scotla7id Mo7tthly. 

“ Catholic spirit; colorless statements.” -r- Sprhigfield Rep7iblica7t. 

“ No book has presented the subject so admirably. ” — Fiter-Ocean. Chicago. 

“ Eminently impartial, and probably the only one full and reliable.” — New York 
Herald. 

“Excellencies many and great; value beyond dispute.” — Congregatio7ialist. 
Boston. 

“ Rare opportunities improved to the best possible advantage. — Rt. Rev. Bishop 
Clark, D.D., LL.D. 

“ Commands the assent of those most familiar with the methods of missionary 
labor.” — Secretary Clark'. American Board. 

“ Best advocate of Missions by far that has yet appeared.” — Secretary Ellmwood, 
Presbyteran Board. 

“ Will certainly be widely sought for.” — President Mar thi. Imperial University. 

Pekin. 

“ Worthy of careful examination.” -- Preside7d Afiderson. Rochester Univ. 


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